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Human Trafficking and Financial Crime on the Rise in Hungary: Government Urged to Take Action
A damning report released today by the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has highlighted a significant increase in human trafficking cases in Hungary. The report highlights the need for urgent action from the Hungarian authorities to combat these crimes and provide adequate support to victims.
Rise in Human Trafficking Cases
Between 2019 and 2022, a total of 754 human trafficking victims were identified in Hungary. The majority of these victims were women (around 84%), while children accounted for around 16% of those affected.
Forms of Exploitation
According to the report, sexual exploitation remains the main form of exploitation, but trafficking for labor purposes has increased significantly. Many victims are being forced into domestic servitude or other forms of coerced work.
Limited Access to Free Legal Aid
One area of concern highlighted by the report is the limited access that victims have to free legal aid, despite amendments made to the Legal Aid Act in 2022. GRETA urges the government to ensure that victims can receive unrestricted access to professional lawyers with specialized knowledge of trafficking in human beings.
Inadequate Compensation and Asset Seizure
Only a handful of victims have received compensation from perpetrators or the state since 2017, and existing legislation on asset seizure and confiscation is not being fully utilized. GRETA recommends that the government inform victims of their right to claim compensation and simplify the application procedures for state compensation.
Gaps in Criminal Justice Response
Prosecutions and convictions for human trafficking and related offenses have increased in recent years, but GRETA identifies gaps in the criminal justice response to these crimes, including a lack of proactive investigation into cases involving domestic servitude. The report also notes that stricter rules governing temporary employment agencies are welcome but more needs to be done to prevent labor exploitation.
Recommendations for Hungarian Government
The Hungarian government has been urged to improve assistance provided to victims by:
- Allocating adequate financing to non-state actors
- Ensuring that the recovery and reflection period is defined in law and granted to all persons suspected of being trafficking victims, regardless of cooperation with authorities
Key Statistics
- 754 human trafficking victims identified between 2019 and 2022
- Majority of victims were women (around 84%), while children accounted for around 16%
- Sexual exploitation remains the main form of exploitation, but trafficking for labor purposes has increased significantly
- Limited access to free legal aid for victims
- Only handful of victims have received compensation since 2017
- Gaps in criminal justice response to human trafficking cases