Ukraine is preparing to launch the institution of the National Rapporteur

The Counter–Trafficking NGO Coalition joined the roundtable “Introduction of the institution of the National Rapporteur on combating trafficking in human beings in Ukraine: international experience and national priorities”.

The event brought together around 30 participants — representatives of public authorities, law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and civil society. The discussion included, in particular, representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy, the National Police, the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Social Service of Ukraine, IOM, EUAM, OSCE, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Opening remarks were delivered by Liudmyla Shemelynets, First Deputy Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine. She presented the draft law on the establishment of the institution of the National Rapporteur on combating trafficking in human beings, which is currently undergoing coordination with central executive authorities and other stakeholders.

During the thematic sessions, the participants discussed international approaches to the functioning of the institution of the National Rapporteur and outlined possible models for its implementation in Ukraine, as well as practical steps for launching this mechanism.

According to the draft law, the National Rapporteur is expected to carry out independent monitoring of the implementation of state policy in the field of combating trafficking in human beings, analyse trends, assess the effectiveness of measures, and prepare public reports and recommendations for public authorities.

At the same time, it is fundamentally important to define an institutional model that will ensure its independence, effectiveness, and real influence on state policy.

Taking into account international experience and the recommendations of international organizations, the Coalition advocates for the introduction of an independent model of the National Rapporteur, separated from the system of executive authorities.

The most well-founded approach for Ukraine is to define the institutional basis for the functioning of the National Rapporteur within the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights as an independent parliamentary institution.

The Coalition supports the establishment of a specialized unit within the structure of the Ombudsman that will perform the functions of the National Rapporteur, ensuring:

• functional independence from the executive branch;
• accountability to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
• separate funding;
• the right to independently publish reports and analytical materials.

Particular attention is also drawn by the Coalition to the need to introduce a transparent competitive procedure for selecting the head of this unit, with clearly defined requirements for professional competence and term of office.

The introduction of the institution of the National Rapporteur is an important step towards strengthening systematic monitoring, increasing the accountability of public authorities, and shaping effective state policy in the field of combating trafficking in human beings.