[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ] BELGIUM
(Tier 1)
–
Extracted
in part from the U.S. State Dept
2023 TIP Report - Belgium The
Government of Belgium fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination
of trafficking. The government continued to demonstrate serious and
sustained efforts during the reporting period, considering the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore
Belgium remained on Tier 1. These efforts included launching a website
to help victims access services and request help,
identifying and assisting more victims, and issuing significantly more
residence permits to potential trafficking victims. Although the
government meets the minimum standards, it investigated and prosecuted fewer
suspected trafficking cases, and 56 percent of the sentences issued to
convicted traffickers were fully or partially suspended. The government
also imposed several conditions on victims’ access to services,
including access to residence permits, such as participation in a criminal
case, which constrained victim identification and limited crucial services
for victims. Prioritized Recommendations Increase efforts to convict traffickers and
sentence convicted traffickers to adequate penalties, which should involve
significant prison terms. Vigorously investigate and prosecute
suspected traffickers and train law enforcement on increasing trends,
including the use of online platforms to recruit and exploit victims. Train first responders on the child victim
identification and referral protocol and ensure it is used effectively in
practice, especially with respect to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
and child victims of forced criminality, and secure adequate funding for the
provision of services for child trafficking victims. Ensure victims have access to the full
range of services regardless of the outcome of the case against their
trafficker or whether they choose to participate in judicial processes. Implement trauma-informed and
victim-centered procedures during trial proceedings to minimize the risk of
re-traumatization and ensure all victims, not just those under threat of
physical violence, have access to witness protection services. Coordinate and centralize the collection of
timely trafficking data across the government to effectively analyze efforts. Improve victims’ ability to access
court-ordered restitution in criminal cases and ensure victims exploited by
means other than physical violence have full access to victim compensation. Revise the definition of human trafficking
under Belgian law to more closely align with the definition in the 2000 UN
TIP Protocol. |