A victim of human trafficking has a right to turn to law enforcement with a request to initiate criminal proceedings in a human trafficking case.
Your application
A victim of human trafficking is entitled to submit an application to the State Police to request the initiation of criminal proceedings. In Ukraine, crimes of human trafficking are investigated by the State Police bodies.
Applications (notifications) may be sent to the police body (unit) by means of postal communication, the Internet, electronic communication (electronic appeals), through contact centers of the state institution “Government Contact Center” and the telephone hotline of the National Police of Ukraine (0-800-50-02-02), which are registered by the record keeping service and immediately transferred to the head of the police body (unit) or the person performing his/her duties.
The police officials are obligated to transfer that application to the competent police department. In addition, anybody, including human trafficking victims themselves, can report a crime by dialling the State Police Emergency Line 102 or 0 800 500 202 (police), 1547 (specialized government hotline), contacting the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights - 0800-50-17-20, the prosecutor's office - (044)-200-76-24 or military administration at the place of the crime or at the place of residence, Civil society human rights organization La Strada – 0800 500 335 or 116 123.
After receiving a complaint, the investigating officer must examine the information indicating that a criminal offence may have been committed and must decide about the initiation of criminal proceedings as soon as possible.
The investigating officer subsequently has a duty to perform investigative actions in order to ascertain whether a criminal offence has taken place, who committed such an offence and whether a person may be held criminally liable for such offence. The officer should also identify such person and acquire the evidence required for holding such person criminally liable.
Refusal to initiate proceedings
According to the part 4 of the article 214 of the Criminal Procedural Code of Ukraine, an investigator, prosecutor, or other official authorized to accept and register statements and reports of criminal offenses shall accept and register such statement or report. Refusal to accept and register a statement or report of a criminal offense is not allowed.
Read more about how to complain in the pre-trial stage of criminal proceedings.
What human rights violations may there be?
The right to life is closely connected with the start of legal actions in cases of human trafficking. When a person becomes a victim of human trafficking, their right to life is at risk due to the harmful and dangerous situations they may face. A victim has the right to seek justice and have their case investigated. Initiating criminal proceedings against traffickers is not only a legal process but also a way to safeguard the victim's right to life. By taking action and reporting the crime, victims contribute to preventing further harm and protecting themselves and others from exploitation.
The act of trafficking itself is prohibited as a form of slavery and forced labour. If a government doesn't create the appropriate laws and frameworks to prevent trafficking, and if the police don't do enough to help the victims, it is considered to be a violation of the victim’s right not to be enslaved.
When a person becomes a victim of human trafficking, they are subjected to severe violations of their rights, necessitating access to effective remedies. They hold the right to seek justice and have their case thoroughly investigated. The State Police, as the law enforcement agency, is responsible for then taking operational measures to protect victims and to investigate human trafficking crimes. The failure of the police to initiate criminal proceedings and investigate the case as a human trafficking crime, can be considered a violation of the victim's right to an effective remedy.