Bosnia and Herzegovina prosecutors explore challenges in investigating cases of online child trafficking and child abuses

Prosecutors from across Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered at the Annual Prosecutorial Conference on Criminal Matters which concluded on 9 October 2019. Over the course of three days, participants took part in panel discussions on; corruption and organized crime, war crimes, preventing violence against children in a digital environment, child victims of crime, gender-based violence, migration and the criminal justice system.

The panel on preventing violence against children in a digital environment provided prosecutors and law enforcement experts an opportunity to familiarize themselves with cases of trafficking that were facilitated by information and communication technology, such as through social media. It also enabled discussion on exploring challenges in prosecuting such types of cases.

Gordana Tadić, Chief Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Head of the Strike Force for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration emphasized that through the application of new investigative techniques, it is possible to more efficiently combat offences of human trafficking online. “Traffickers use a variety of methods in recruiting and exploiting victims. An adequate response to this crime requires the use of the latest investigative techniques, digital forensic tools and electronic evidence.”

“In a digitalized world, a potential for the recruitment and exploitation of victims of human trafficking is rapidly growing. Traffickers are increasingly using modern technology to avoid detection. It is therefore essential that practitioners in this field have the knowledge about the elements and methods of trafficking via modern technology,” stated Boris Topic, National Anti-trafficking Officer at the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The panel was supported by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Forum of Solidarity-Emmaus, as a part of their efforts to increase capacities of competent actors to ensure effective prosecution of trafficking in human beings.