In order to combat human trafficking, „solid partnerships” between governments, NGOs, criminal prosecution bodies and survivor communities are essential, the US ambassador in Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, said on Tuesday at the conference „Consolidation of criminal legislation in Romania for a more effective response in the fight against human trafficking” organized by the joint special committee of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for combating human trafficking, the International Justice Mission Foundation and the ANAIS Association.

She congratulated the solid partnership between the Joint Special Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, civil society and their allies within the Government, saying that she saw the extraordinary results of this cooperation in May, when the Parliament increased the punishment limits for human trafficking, at the proposal Joint Committe for Combating Trafficking.

Kavalec added that another legislative package that the committee developed in collaboration with civil society partners is being watched with „great interest”.

These legislative proposals seek to affirm the rights of victims and increase their access to financial compensation measures, as well as to streamline investigations, help identify victims and strengthen the sanctioning regime against traffickers. The Romanian Parliament has admirably initiated a reform aimed at deterring traffickers and protecting victims, including the current draft laws just mentioned. Thanks to the joint committee dedicated to combating trafficking, the Romanian Parliament will undoubtedly continue to develop at the local and national level the resources and tools necessary to protect victims, prosecute traffickers and prevent these heinous crimes, explained the ambassador.

Kathleen Kavalec also mentioned some of the activities of the United States in partnership with Romania in the fight against human trafficking.

AGERPRES