The Federal National Council has referred proposed amendments to the law on human trafficking to the Legal and Legislative Affairs Committee.
The suggested changes to Federal Law No 51 of 2006 on anti-human trafficking crimes are aimed at ensuring maximum protection for victims in line with international conventions.
The amendments include changes to the definition of the crime and to the penalties for those who commit such crimes and those who fail to report any knowledge of such crimes.
Further amendments deal with the punishment of "principal offenders and accessories" and also give guidelines for "supplementary" and "compulsory" punishments.
Others specifiy investigation procedures for law enforcement agencies and the prosecution.
The council also discussed a requirement for the formation of an Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee and details surrounding its jurisdiction. It also adressed the issue of confidentiality for victims.
Among the proposed amendments are sanctions for anyone who publishes the names or photographs of human-trafficking victims.
The amendments concern the articles 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14 of the Federal Law No. 51.
