Commissioner warns of persistent human trafficking challenges in Cyprus and the EU

On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights Protection, highlighted the persistent issue of human trafficking in Cyprus and the broader European Union. She warned that official data significantly underrepresents the true scale of the problem due to frequent non-reporting of incidents.

In 2025, Cyprus officially identified 30 victims of human trafficking, consisting of 16 women and 14 men, while five individuals were convicted of related crimes. European-wide data from 2024, as reported by Eurostat, showed 9,678 identified victims, 7,966 suspects, and 2,599 convictions. Across the EU, 63% of victims were women or girls, with labor exploitation occurring at rates comparable to sexual exploitation.

Despite improvements in the institutional and legal frameworks, the Commissioner emphasized that significant hurdles remain. These challenges include difficulties in identifying victims, limited access to justice, and a fear of retaliation. Furthermore, she noted the emergence of modern threats, including the use of artificial intelligence and online platforms by criminal organizations for recruitment and fraud. The Commissioner stressed that combatting this requires not only the prosecution of perpetrators but also the comprehensive protection, rehabilitation, and support of victims to help them reclaim their lives.