Human trafficking in Latvia still exists, particularly in the forms of sexual and labor exploitation, which continue to evolve with the increasing significance of the digital environment in recruitment processes, as noted at the meeting of the Council for Child Affairs, LETA reports.
The Ministry of Welfare informed the LETA agency that an interim report titled "On Measures to Prevent Human Trafficking Risks and Strengthen the Protection of Children's Rights in Connection with the Materials Published by the U.S. Department of Justice Regarding the Jeffrey Epstein Case" was presented at this week's meeting of the Council for Child Affairs.
The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that a criminal case has been initiated regarding possible human trafficking, and the responsible institutions continue to actively identify those involved, conduct interviews, and strengthen international cooperation, including sending a request for legal assistance to the United States.
The meeting indicated that the State Police, in collaboration with other institutions, is implementing preventive measures, providing training for specialists, and improving inter-agency cooperation for the effective identification of victims, prevention of risks, and protection of children and youth from crimes.
The Ministry of Welfare and the Child Rights Protection Center highlighted that the digital environment has become a key space for threats to children's rights, thus necessitating increased accountability for platforms, the implementation of age verification solutions, and clarification of parental regulations in social media.
Ministry representatives noted that the current regulations, including norms concerning the involvement of children in activities related to the demonstration of appearance, are outdated and no longer correspond to the realities of the digital environment, thus requiring a significant revision and stricter protection mechanisms.
To reduce risks and ensure effective protection for children, a series of priority measures have been planned: improving legal regulations, enhancing platform accountability in preventing involvement, including internet safety as a mandatory and age-appropriate element of education, as well as expanding specialists' knowledge in the fields of digital safety and human trafficking.
The meeting also emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of the prevention and rehabilitation system, ensuring sustainable funding for child protection activities in the digital environment.
Measures implemented by the Public Integration Fund aimed at creating a favorable environment for children and families throughout Latvia were also discussed at the meeting.
As reported, Latvia is mentioned in the published materials regarding the convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as one of the possible countries for recruiting underage girls. Latvia is referenced in the documents over 500 times, and Riga over 800 times. The published files include the names of several Latvian models and modeling agencies, as well as revealing personal correspondence between Epstein and Latvian girls.
The Council for Child Affairs is a permanent advisory collegial body established to promote a unified understanding of the principle of prioritizing the interests of the child in state and municipal policy, as well as to develop coordinated interaction among institutions, public organizations, and other individuals and legal entities, including cooperation groups for the protection of children's rights in the field of child rights protection.
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