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US State Department report points to Bulgaria as major source of human trafficking in EU

Bulgaria is making efforts to stop human trafficking

Photo: fra.europa.eu

Bulgaria does not fully meet the minimum standards for stopping human trafficking, but is making significant efforts in this direction, according to the latest US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report. Despite the pandemic, the Bulgarian government has shown greater efforts to combat the problem, the document reads. 

Minor convictions against traffickers point to weakness in the Bulgarian system, which undermines efforts to tackle trafficking.

The report also describes Bulgaria as one of the countries that are major sources of human trafficking in the European Union.

This is the 21st US report on the subject and covers 188 countries. The first round countries comply with international standards. For those at the second level, including Bulgaria, it is important to show progress, because countries in the third level threatened by American sanctions.



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