Washington, 30 September 2025 (MIA) - The Government of North Macedonia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period; therefore, North Macedonia remained on Tier 2, states the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report on North Macedonia.

“These efforts included investigating more suspected trafficking cases and prosecuting more defendants. The government increased overall protection efforts, including identifying more victims, developing new SOPs for mobile teams, and increasing resources for the NGO-run shelter for trafficking victims (the shelter). The government allocated funds to the victim compensation fund, established a commission to adjudicate cases, and created a group composed of survivors to provide recommendations on anti-trafficking efforts,” the Report states.

However, it states the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.  

“The government convicted fewer traffickers, and its Organized Crime and Corruption Prosecution Office (OCCPO) did not have sufficient resources to handle all cases under its jurisdiction. Some local police and district prosecutors did not refer potential trafficking cases to the Anti-Trafficking Task Force (task force) or OCCPO and used charges for offenses with more lenient penalties to prosecute traffickers. The government did not allocate funding to mobile teams that identify most potential victims each year, despite past commitments to do so. The government did not provide specialized assistance to male victims and lacked longer-term support services for all victims. Due to inconsistent screening by local police and some border agents, the government did not take effective measures to prevent the inappropriate penalization of potential victims solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked. The government continued to accommodate foreign potential victims at the transit center with no freedom of movement,” the State Department says in its Report.

The Report also highlights recommendations for the country improve the situation including: vigorously investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes, including those involving complicit officials, and seeking adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

“Allocate sufficient resources for victim protection, including to the mobile identification teams, to the shelter for trafficking victims, and in support of specialized services for adult male victims. Increase efforts to proactively identify trafficking victims by consistently screening for trafficking among vulnerable populations, including individuals in commercial sex, migrants, refugees, and other at-risk populations. Allocate sufficient resources to the police and prosecutors to proactively investigate trafficking and prosecute cases in a timely manner. Ensure victims are not inappropriately penalized solely for unlawful acts committed as a result of being trafficked,” the Report adds.

The State Department also recommends that safer accommodation is provided to potential foreign trafficking victims and that they are allowed to leave their shelters at will, as well as that access to alternative housing is made available for victims after they leave the shelter or when the shelter is full.

“Establish mechanisms to ensure all potential trafficking cases are referred to specialized police and prosecutors. Institutionalize specialized training for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement on victim-centered investigations and prosecutions. Empower the national rapporteur to successfully monitor and evaluate anti-trafficking efforts,” recommends the Report.

Photo: Screenshot