July 1, 2026, Chisinau – The Government approved today the draft of law, developed by the Ministry of Justice, which strengthens the protection of victims and presumed victims of human trafficking and introduces stronger measures to combat this phenomenon.
One of the main changes aims to provide faster protection and assistance.Alleged victims will be able to be included in the National Referral Mechanism when there are reasonable indications of exploitation, without the intervention of the authorities being dependent on the attribution of a criminal procedural status.
For aggravated forms of human trafficking, the application of conditional suspension of the execution of the sentence will be excluded.At the same time, special clauses releasing service users from criminal liability will be eliminated, their cooperation will be analyzed according to the general rules.
The approved adjustments adapt the legislation to current forms of human trafficking.Cases in which the victim's documents are withheld as a means of control or coercion will be criminalized, even if they were initially surrendered voluntarily.Also, the forms of exploitation will be expanded to include forced marriage, enslavement and transfer of control over the person, including in the absence of geographical displacement of the victim.The draft introduces aggravating circumstances for acts committed through information and communication technologies, with a focus on cases of online sexual exploitation.
Victims of human trafficking will be included in the category of vulnerable procedural subjects. Their hearing will be conducted with additional guarantees, in the presence of the defense attorney and, if applicable, of the psychologist, in order to reduce the risk of revictimization.
In the field of social assistance, the support provided to victims will be determined according to their real needs, taking into account gender, age and disability.Placement in assistance centers will begin with a period of 30 days, and the extension will depend on the individualized assistance plan, with the capping of the placement period being eliminated.At the same time, a minimum package of free medical and psychiatric services will be offered.
For child victims, a legal representative will be immediately appointed when there is a conflict of interest with the parents.Support measures may also be extended to the child's family, including members temporarily abroad.
Foreign citizens identified as victims of human trafficking will be able to work during the duration of their temporary residence permit, without an additional work permit.
At the institutional level, the project provides for the establishment of the position of National Coordinator, the creation of an integrated national system of disaggregated statistical data and the designation of the National Coordination Unit of the National Referral Mechanism as the single point of contact for cross-border cases.
"Through these amendments, the legal framework is adapted to current forms of human trafficking, including those committed through information technologies, and the mechanisms for protection, rehabilitation and legal security of victims and their families are consolidated," concluded the Minister of Justice, Vladislav Cojuhari, during the Government meeting.