Dignita Expands its Cooperation in the International Fight Against Human Trafficking

At the invitation of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms. Kamelia Dimitrova, founder of the Dignita Foundation, participated in the “Future Leaders Invitation Program.” The program, led by the Center for Strategy, Analysis, and Policy Planning in Paris, aims to facilitate the exchange of expertise and build partnerships for the international fight against human trafficking and gender-based violence. Each year, the program brings together over 75 young leaders from around the world to discuss issues related to global security and human rights.

Ms. Dimitrova spent a week in France, visiting Paris and Strasbourg from February 7-11, 2022. During this time, she met with over 20 representatives from French institutions and NGOs working in victim protection and combating organized crime. In Paris, she held key meetings with state officials and leading experts who play significant roles in national strategies against human trafficking.

Commissioner Elvire Arrighi, head of the Central Office for the Eradication of Human Trafficking, outlined the main trends related to trafficking in France. Commissioner Arrighi noted that much of street prostitution in France has shifted online. She presented Law No. 2016-444 of April 13, 2016, which criminalizes the purchase of sexual services while supporting those who wish to exit prostitution. This legal reform empowers individuals by decriminalizing prostitution and offering options for social reintegration through temporary residency permits for third-country nationals, training, employment opportunities, and financial assistance. Commissioner Arrighi emphasized the ongoing change in societal and law enforcement attitudes towards individuals involved in prostitution.

Ms. Dimitrova also met with Ms. Elisabeth Moiron-Braud, Secretary General of the Interministerial Mission for the Protection of Women and the Fight Against Human Trafficking, who introduced France’s second National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. This plan ensures coordination between state institutions and NGOs to unify efforts for victim protection and support.

Ms. Dimitrova discussed the potential application of the Franco-Swedish model for combating trafficking in women for sexual exploitation in Bulgaria with Ambassador Jean-Claude Brunet, France’s Special Representative for the Fight Against Organized Crime. She also met with Ambassador Delphine Borione, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, who presented the mission of France’s Special Ambassador on Human Rights.

Ms. Dimitrova held further meetings with representatives of associations and NGOs supporting victims of sexual and labor exploitation. These discussions included specific trends and cases involving Bulgarian nationals who are victims of trafficking, as well as opportunities for collaboration between Dignita and French NGOs to support affected individuals. The discussions also addressed the impact of the 2016 law on women involved in prostitution in France, who are often victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

In Strasbourg, Ms. Dimitrova met with representatives of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights. In a meeting with Ambassador Christian Meuli, Chair of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and Swiss Representative to the Council of Europe, they discussed the recommendations to Bulgaria for fulfilling its commitments under the Convention and Dignita’s role in supporting vulnerable groups. Ms. Dimitrova highlighted the foundation’s efforts to provide legal assistance to victims and the importance of Switzerland’s contributions to countering human trafficking and supporting victims in Bulgaria from 2015-2020.

Additionally, she met with Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the Council of Europe, Maria Spassova, and the Ambassador of the European Delegation to the Council of Europe, Meglena Kuneva, with whom she discussed the importance of effective partnerships for sustainable success in the international fight against human trafficking.