Government appoints experts to draft new act on human trafficking

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has set up a working group to draw up a new act to assist victims of human trafficking.

The aim of the reform is to "improve the status, rights and equality of victims of human trafficking and to improve the implementation of their human rights," the Ministry said in a press release.

The work of the group will begin by assessing the current state of assistance available to victims of trafficking in human beings and of legislation affecting the status of the victims in different administrative branches.

Based on its findings, the group will make a proposal on the organisation of the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking. After this, the working group will draw up a proposal for a new act to assist victims of human trafficking. The bill will include proposals for provisions on safe and supported housing services for victims.

A wide range of experts

The working group is chaired by Director Jari Keinänen from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The group has wide-ranging expertise and representation from several ministries, agencies and institutions in different administrative branches, municipalities and organisations, the government says.

The working group’s mandate runs until the end of 2022.

Safeguarding the rights of victims of human trafficking and the reform of related legislation are included in the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government.