National Programmes on Overcoming and Counteracting Trafficking in People and

  Protection of Victims

According to article 4 of the Regulations of the organization and the work of the National Commission on Combating Trafficking of Persons (NCCTP), it has to draft and submit to the Council of Ministries yearly a National Program for combating trafficking in human beings and such Programs were adopted in 2005 and in 2006.

The programs envisage establishment of administrative structures at national and local level, increasing the awareness of the society on the problem of trafficking in human beings and the mechanisms for its limitation. The measures are focused on protection and support of victims of trafficking as well as on creating a working mechanism for research, analysis and statistical reporting of human trafficking data. The Programs also envisage trainings for staff involved in counteracting trafficking in human beings, improving the international co-operation for prevention and countering of trafficking in human beings and organizing information, awareness and educational campaigns.

The Programs also include measures for strengthening the mechanisms for assisting of victims of trafficking and protection of their rights. The section “Reintegration of victims” focuses on overcoming consequences of trafficking. It envisages some amendments.

However, separate budget for the implementation of the above mentioned measures has not been allocated. They are to be implemented within the budgets of the relevant responsible ministry or governmental institution.

  National Program for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence

The Program for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence is adopted in compliance with the art. 6 (1) and § 2 of the Final provisions of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and in compliance with the international standards set by the international conventions and the EU acquis .

According to Art. 5 of the CEDAW Preamble, the States are responsible for changing the socio cultural models and stereotypes, based on inequalities between women and men. 

On 19 October 2006 the Government adopted the first Program for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence for the period 2007-2008.

The Program envisages a national 24-hour phone line for information for victims of domestic violence and setting up of temporary shelters for such people as well as development and introduction of programmes and trainings targeting the specific groups of personnel at specialized institutions, police officers, law enforcement agencies etc.

The Program envisages shelters for victims of domestic violence to be established in every regional center. 270 000 BGL are allocated for this measure. The telephone line of the police should be the hot line for victims of domestic violence. The ambition of the Ministry of the Interior’s experts is a separate line to be used soon. The Ministry is responsible for the preparation of a leaflet, giving information for fast and effective protection in cases of domestic violence.

The Program targets prevention and protection from domestic violence trough awareness raising of the society on the problem of “domestic violence”, strengthening the capacity and increasing the level of personnel qualification as well as establishment of a basis for development of programs for reintegration of the victims of domestic violence and specialized programs for perpetrators.

Last update: 22.02.2007