The Riigikogu passed with 91 votes in favour the Act on Amendments to the Penal Code (140 SE), initiated by the Government. The law imposes up to seven years of imprisonment for human trafficking, with the prison sentence in aggravated cases running up to fifteen years. A provision is also made to allow forceful dissolution of legal persons and broadened confiscation of property acquired by criminal means. In relation to the new definition of human trafficking, provisions of the Penal Code on sexual exploitation and organ donorship have been clarified. The NGOs active in this field (MTÜ Eluliin, Estonian Women’s Associations Round Table, Estonian Women’s Shelters Union, Association of Women Lawyers) as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Prosecutor’s Office and the Police were involved into the proceeding of the Bill in the Legal Affairs Committee. 

“New criminal provisions against human trafficking constitute a significant step forward in the fight against organised crime; but what is much more important is the fact that it gives everyone forced to prostitution or other forced labour the status of a victim and thus much better legal protection,” said member of the Legal Affairs Committee Andres Anvelt. 

The Riigikogu Press Service