Since 2007, Czechia commemorates the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings on 18 October, which is associated with raising awareness about this crime and its prevention. A number of preventive and educational activities related to the issue of human trafficking are ongoing or planned.
Working in chains
On October 15, police officers from the National Center for Organized Crime (NCOZ) launched the awareness campaign ‘Working in Chains’. In the Czech Republic, there are increasing cases of so-called modern slavery, in which perpetrators exploit either foreign workers or socially vulnerable Czech citizens. The aim of this project is to raise awareness of the issue of human trafficking among the police, strengthen trust in the police, and offer assistance and contacts to non-profit organizations where victims can turn if they do not trust or are afraid of the security forces. Experts from the NCOZ's Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration Department explain the issue of modern slavery and the practices of perpetrators in a video available on the YouTube channel. The video also includes foreign-language subtitles. The Crime Prevention Department of the Ministry of the Interior and the non-profit organization LA Strada Czech Republic are collaborating on the project. More information about the project can be found here.
Cartoon truth
Following the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, the grand opening of the exhibition Cartoon Truth – Human Trafficking through the Eyes of Young Artists took place on October 21, at the U Františkánů Gallery in Prague. The exhibition is the culmination of a nationwide art competition on the topic of human trafficking. Its aim was to raise awareness of this serious problem through comics and posters and to help children and young people who are at risk of exploitation. In addition to Prague, the exhibition will be presented in other cities and schools throughout the Czech Republic. The exhibition will also include a catalogue, which will not only serve as a guide to the exhibition but will also serve as preventive and educational material. This project was initiated by the Deputy Public Defender of Rights and the LA Strada Czech Republic organization with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Children's Fund. The exhibition was also financially supported by the Crime Prevention Department of the Ministry of the Interior.
On the same day, a professional meeting on the topic of commercial sexual abuse of children and adolescents was held at the PRO.STORY facility in Ústí nad Labem, initiated by the non-profit organization Rozkoš bez rizika. The employees of this organization will introduce their activities and work with adolescents to the professionals, present specific case studies, and all participants can then share their experiences. The meeting will be conceived as an informal round table, so the topics will respond flexibly to the current situation and the suggestions of the participants.
Category TIER 1
The Czech Republic has been trying to eliminate all forms of human trafficking for a long time, which is also reflected in the October Trafficking in Persons Report for 2024/2025, published by the US Department of State. The report ranks individual countries according to their efforts and measures taken to combat human trafficking. As in recent years, the Czech Republic is classified as a TIER 1 country, which represents the best possible rating. The Czech Republic was awarded in particular for a significant increase in the number of investigated cases of human trafficking, comprehensive care for all victims included in the Ministry of the Interior's Program for Support and Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking, cooperation with non-governmental organizations providing services to victims outside the program, joint actions of police officers and labour inspectors, and for high-quality training programs for police officers and representatives of other organizations actively involved in the field of human trafficking. The report also includes a list of recommendations for the following period, which can help entities involved in the fight against human trafficking to eliminate it more effectively. The 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report from the U.S. Department of State (in English) cis available here.
More information on the issue of human trafficking in the Czech Republic can be found in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report in the Czech Republic , which is published on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.