Police appoint investigative team to counter human trafficking

Replying to a parliamentary question raised by Labour MP Leo Brincat, home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said that a 'special team' headed by an inspector has been set up within the police last January.

In his reply, Mifsud Bonnici listed a series of international conferences on human trafficking which were attended by representatives by the Malta Police.

The minister also revealed that government has set up a monitoring committee which is made up of representatives from various ministries and governmental departments, which has prepared an 'Action Plan' intended to guide government towards an efficient and pro-active approach in combating human trafficking.

Earlier this year, a man has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after being found guilty of human trafficking.

The issue has long been on the agenda in Malta-US relations after Washington placed Malta on its watch-list over human trafficking.

During her hearing before the US Senate foreign affairs committee last month, newly appointed US ambassador to Malta Gina Abercombie-Winstanley was urged by Senators to keep a 'watchful eye' on legislative developments in Malta on the matter.