The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published its report on Hungary on 26 February 2024. The expert group assessed Hungary for the third time on the proper implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
In accordance with the rules of procedure, the report was written by filling in a questionnaire and a visit to Hungary by a GRETA delegation. GRETA focused on the access to justice and effective remedies for victims of trafficking in human beings in the third evaluation round of the Convention.
GRETA notes a number of positive developments since the publication of its second assessment report on Hungary. These included the adoption of a national anti-trafficking strategy for 2020-2023 and the establishment of prosecutorial guidelines to facilitate the detection and prosecution of trafficking cases.
The GRETA welcomes the amendments made to the Legal Aid Act, through which human trafficking victims can obtain free legal aid in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings. The report also welcomes the adoption of stricter rules concerning the registration and operation of temporary employment agencies.
However, according to GRETA, further steps need to be taken by the Hungarian authorities, notably by improving the assistance provided to victims of trafficking and their access to legal aid and compensation, and by strengthening measures to combat trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.
The report is available here.