Leading a United Pathway to anti-Trafficking Action (LUPTA)

Completed in early 2023, the Leading a United Pathway to anti-Trafficking Action (LUPTA) initiative was developed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Romania, in coordination with the US Embassy in Romania and the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (ANITP) of Romania. The financial support comes from the US Department of State through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

The overall objective of this intervention was to advance and contribute to the Romanian Government’s endeavours in successfully implementing Romania’s National Strategy for 2018-2022 and National Action Plan for Combating Trafficking in Persons. LUPTA directly addressed some of the challenges identified in the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report as well as the 2020 Council of Europe, Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) evaluations and questionnaires.

In line with internationally accepted best practices and guidelines the project had three main components, resulting in three specific outcomes:

1. Improved and effective cooperation and coordination between key actors, in Bucharest and the counties around three regional Courts of Appeal, involved in the investigation, prosecution, support and service provision for victims of trafficking through the establishment of a multi-disciplinary, specialized, anti-trafficking task force.
2. Strengthened collaboration and capacity among key actors within the task force(s) to utilize interdisciplinary expertise, best practice and judicial tools which ensure trafficking in persons’ cases are investigated and prosecuted successfully and professionally.
3. Increased victim participation in criminal investigations and proceedings by strengthening cooperation between relevant stakeholders in a victim-centered manner.

This project was conducted in close cooperation with the International Justice Mission (IJM) in its capacity as implementer of the project Strengthening Proactive Criminal Justice Response to Trafficking in Persons. IJM’s training activities were targeted at central level whereas IOM’s activities were carried at a local level to improve the effective cooperation and coordination between key actors involved in the investigation, prosecution, support and service provision for victims of trafficking.

PROJECT OUTCOMES (2023)

See more information here: LUPTA Report September 2022

LUPTA was primarily financed through the U.S. Department of State