Victims exist, but the evidence does not? How human trafficking cases are tried today

On 24–26 March 2026, the National School of Judges of Ukraine, with the support of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Mission in Ukraine, held a training-of-trainers (for lecturers) course entitled ‘Combating Human Trafficking in the Context of an Armed Conflict’

The training was conducted with the aim of providing participants with a clear understanding of the legal definition of human trafficking, deepening judges’ knowledge regarding the correct classification of offences under Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, and distinguishing it from related offences.

The participants were addressed by Rigoberto Meza, Head of Humanitarian Programmes at the International Organisation for Migration’s Mission in Ukraine, and Oksana Mazur, Head of the training course and Lead Researcher at the National School of Judges of Ukraine.

The training was delivered by experienced specialists: Judge Nadiia Stefaniv of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court; Iryna Horban, Head of the Department for the Organisation of Procedural Oversight of Pre-trial Investigations and the Prosecution of Criminal Proceedings Related to Human Trafficking at the Office of the Prosecutor General; Judge Mykhailo Zimin of the Pokrovskyi District Court of Kryvyi Rih, Judge Vadym Kulebiakin of the Chemerovetskyi District Court of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and Judge Tetiana Fortuna of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

Also joining the teaching team were Judge Iryna Shapovalova of the Dniprovskyi District Court of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Head of the Training Laboratory for the Study of European Union Law at the National School of the Judiciary Nataliia Akhtyrska, Deputy Head of the Department for Scientific and Methodological Support of Judges’ Psychological Training Andrii Masliuk, Chief Forensic Psychiatric Expert, and Olena Kozeratska, Chief Research Fellow of the Research Department at the State Institution ‘Institute of Forensic Psychiatry of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine’.

Speakers from the International Organisation for Migration included Vita Musatenko, a lawyer and Doctor of Philosophy in Law, and Nataliia Kulikova, Chair of the public association ‘NGO Coalition Against Human Trafficking’.

The participants explored the specific aspects of proving the constituent elements of the offence of human trafficking, in particular establishing the fact of exploitation (labour, sexual, forced begging, etc.) and the use of means of influence (deception, blackmail, coercion, vulnerable status). Case law (national, ECHR and Court of Justice of the EU) on human trafficking was analysed to ensure consistency in the application of legal provisions and to address problematic aspects.

Particular attention was paid to understanding the need to apply special measures to protect witnesses and victims, taking into account their psychological state and vulnerability, as well as issues of compensation for harm and ensuring victims’ access to justice. Judges had the opportunity to consolidate the knowledge gained through practical exercises.

The event was well-organised and structured. Participants noted the relevance of the topic, the high professionalism of the trainers and the usefulness of the pre-training survey.

Presentations by the training lecturers: Vita Musatenko, Nadiya Stefaniv, NGO Coalition Against Human Trafficking.