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Countering human trafficking in Ukraine since 2011
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How can judges strengthen survivors’ access to justice?
On 10 December, a specialized seminar for judges was held, organized by the Counter–Trafficking NGO Coalition, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, and the UNODC Programme Office in Ukraine.
At the center of attention — the practice of adjudicating cases related to human trafficking, in particular for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Throughout the day, participants worked on key aspects of law enforcement:
- international standards for countering human trafficking;
- qualification and evidentiary standards in criminal proceedings;
- trends in judicial practice for 2019–2024;
- current EU approaches and the requirements of Directive 2024/1712;
- compensation for harm suffered by survivors as the foundation of real access to justice.
«Compensation for harm — is not an additional option. For most survivors, it is the only chance to rebuild their lives after exploitation. International standards directly oblige the state to ensure effective mechanisms for this»
Counter–Trafficking NGO CoalitionPress Service
Despite the existing legislative framework, Ukrainian judicial practice faces a number of challenges:
- a low number of claims;
- a low rate of successful claims;
- difficulties in determining the amount of compensation;
- challenges in enforcing court decisions.
While the state moves towards establishing a compensation fund, judges play a key role:
- justify the amount of compensation;
- take into account the vulnerability of survivors;
- are guided by European standards;
- ensure cooperation with the free legal aid system.
Compensation — it’s not about money.
It’s about restoring a person’s ability to live after experiencing exploitation.
Counter–Trafficking NGO CoalitionPress Service
The Counter–Trafficking NGO Coalition thanks its partners for their joint work and continues to advocate for changes necessary to ensure that every survivor can access justice.
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Countering human trafficking in Ukraine since 2011
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