A Bill has been published amending the criminal code to fight human trafficking.

The Bill introduces punishment for any person who knowingly makes use of the services or labour of a trafficked person, or who otherwise benefits from such services.

This amendment is in line with recommendations made by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in their report relating to Malta. This amendment is intended to curb the demand for services provided by trafficked persons.

Moreover, the Bill stipulates that the period of prescription in cases involving minors will start to run from the day the victim of human trafficking attains the age of majority.

The Bill also grants victims of human trafficking offences access to compensation currently awarded only to victims of violent inten-tional crimes under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Regulations.

Some of these amendments transpose the provisions of the EU directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing a Council Framework Decision, while others provide for more stringent penalties in respect of human trafficking offences.

The Government said it “has no intention of tolerating situations where people are exposed to exploitation by human traffickers, and is therefore taking the necessary steps towards the prevention of such situations”.

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