New measures for stricter prosecution of human trafficking, strengthening the protection of victims and special care for children through the new European directive.
The strengthening of the framework for combating human trafficking was the focus of the remarks by Deputy Minister of Justice Ioannis Bougas in the Parliament, who presented the latest data and institutional measures taken by government in a field that is changing rapidly and taking on new, more complex forms of exploitation. With a focus on the transposition of European Directive 2024/1712 and the strengthening of mechanisms for the early identification of victims, the ministry is promoting a stricter and more effective protection framework, while official data for 2025 record hundreds of new cases, highlighting the ongoing expansion of the phenomenon and the need for immediate institutional safeguards.
The latest data and institutional initiatives to strengthen the protection of victims of traffickingwere presented to the Parliament by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Ioannis Bougas.
The session
At the meeting of the Subcommittee on Combating Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons of the Special Standing Committee on Equality, Youth, and Human Rights, on the topic “Criminal Prosecution of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and Victims’ Rights,” Mr. Ioannis Bougas emphasized that human trafficking constitutes “one of the gravest violations of human dignity and freedom.”
He placed particular emphasis on the importance of the timely identification of victims, stressing that “the protection of victims begins with their identification.” As she noted, the National System for the Identification and Referral of Victims of Human Trafficking is a key tool of the national policy against trafficking, as it ensures the timely identification of victims and their immediate access to protection, assistance, and justice.
Presenting recent data on the extent of the phenomenon, Mr. Bougas noted that the number of new cases of human trafficking victims reached 881 in 2025, of which 773 involved adults and 108 involved children. These figures, he noted, demonstrate that human trafficking is constantly evolving, with an increase in cases of labor exploitation, coercion into criminal activities, and other forms of coercion.
The Deputy Minister also briefed the members of the Subcommittee on the Ministry of Justice’s initiatives regarding the transposition of the new Directive (EU) 2024/1712 into national law. As he noted, the relevant Working Group has already completed its work, and a draft bill is expected to be submitted shortly, with the aim of further strengthening the protection of victims, tackling new forms of exploitation, protecting children, and ensuring more effective investigation and prosecution of related crimes.
In closing his briefing, Mr. Bougas emphasized that the State must identify victims in a timely manner, protect them effectively, and enable them to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity, reaffirming the Ministry of Justice’s commitment to continuously strengthening the institutional and criminal framework against human trafficking and exploitation.
