News Archive

On October 23, the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings celebrated the opening of its new office on Dimitrov Boulevard with a press conference and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was part of the ten-day initiative "Human Traffic: Time for Action" connected to the European Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. The premises of the National Commission were renovated with the assistance of USAID and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The opening was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Daniel Valtchev, Prosecutor General Boris Velchev, U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission Antoaneta Vassileva and IOM Chief of Mission Ilyana Derilova.

In addition to funding renovation and furnishing of the Commission's new office space in the amount of 96,000 leva (approximately $70,000), USAID and IOM assisted the National Commission in developing its action plan for 2007, which the Council of Ministers adopted in September. They will also support the Commission in its implementation of a public awareness campaign, development of a communications strategy, and in the establishment of local anti-trafficking commissions. The U.S. State Department annual trafficking in persons report currently identifies Bulgaria as a Tier 2 country, meaning that the Government of Bulgaria does not yet fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.