On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, established by the United Nations, Minister of Justice Giorgos Floridis and Deputy Minister of Justice Ioannis Bougas presented to the Cabinet a legislative initiative for the incorporation of EU Directive 2024/1712 concerning the prevention and fight against human trafficking.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Justice, the main pillars of the new regulations include:

• Expanding the definition of exploitation, so that it more accurately reflects modern forms of trafficking, including domestic servitude, forced involvement in criminal activities and forced begging.
• Strengthening protection against digital forms of exploitation, addressing the growing use of online platforms for trafficking-related crimes.
• Further protecting victims during criminal proceedings, by strengthening safeguards against secondary victimization and expanding access to psychological support during victim examinations.
• Reinforcing the principle of non-punishment of victims for illegal acts they were forced to commit as a result of the exploitation they suffered.
• Improving victims’ access to free legal assistance and compensation, while promoting closer cooperation between national support services and relevant European bodies for cross-border referral and protection of victims.

The initiative aims to align Greece’s legal framework with updated European standards and enhance both prevention mechanisms and the protection of people affected by human trafficking.