The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings was established by virtue of the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act. It determines and administers the implementation of the national policy and strategy in the area of combating trafficking in human beings. The National Commission under the Council of Ministers organises and coordinates the interaction between separate institutions and organisations executing the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act. It works to prevent trafficking in human beings and to protect, assist and reintegrate victims of trafficking.
The National Commission develops annually a National Programme for Prevention and Counteraction of Trafficking in Human Beings and Protection of the Victims, which is approved by the Council of Ministers. It researches, analyses and reports statistical data on human trafficking. It carries out information, awareness and education campaigns aimed at potential victims of trafficking. It manages and supervises the activities of the Local Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the centres for protection and support of victims of trafficking. It also contributes to international cooperation for prevention and counteraction of human trafficking.
Chairperson: Mr. Ivan Demerdzhiev - Interim Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security, Interim Minister of the Interior, and Chairman of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
Ivan Demerdzhiev is a lawyer with over 20 years of experience. He was born in 1975 in Plovdiv. He is a lawyer from Plovdiv. In 2001 he graduated with a Master's degree in Law from the University of Plovdiv.
Since February 2007 he has been a partner and manager of Demerdzhiev, Petrov & Baev Law Firm. Since June 2016 he has been a member of the Bar Council of the Bar Association - Plovdiv, and from July 2016 to February 2019 he was its Secretary. In February 2019 he became the President of the Bar Association - Plovdiv. He left the position after being appointed Deputy Minister of Justice in the interim government appointed by President Rumen Radev in May 2021.
In October of the same year, by a decree of President Rumen Radev, he was appointed interim Minister of Justice.
After the end of his term, he returned to his legal practice. As a lawyer, he is known for his strong positions on social matters. He takes an active part in the discussion of important issues in the field of justice.
Representatives of the following ministries and state institutions are members of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings:
- Deputy Minister of the Interior
- Deputy Minister for Justice
- Deputy Minister for Education and Science
- Deputy Minister for Health
- Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Policy
- Ms Daniela Masheva, Deputy Prosecutor General at the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's Office
- Ms Juliana Petkova, Deputy Director of the National Investigation Service
- Ms Lada Paunova, Acting Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Cassation of Bulgaria
- Ms Theodora Ivanova, Deputy Chairperson of the State Agency For Child Protection
- Deputy Chairman of the Central Commission for Combating Juvenile Delinquency
Secretariat
Secretary
Ms. Ernesta Ruseva-Hristova, Senior Expert
Ms. Antoaneta Dimitrova, Senior Expert
Ms. Emilya Alexieva, Chief Specialist
Ms. Gabriela Georgieva, Cheif Accountant
2017-2021
Krasimir Karakatschanov - Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National commision for combating trafficking in human beings
26.06.2013 – 25.07.2013
Chairperson:
Zinaida Kamenova Zlatanova – Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National commision for combating trafficking in human beings (regarding decision of The Council of Ministers № 379/26.06.2013)
2009-2013
Chairperson:
Cvetan Genchev Cvetanov – Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National commision for combating trafficking in human beings (regarding decision of The Council of Ministers № 700/ 27.08.2009)
Members
Mr. Veselin Vuchkov – Deputy Minister of Interior
Ms. Desislava Dimitrova – Deputy Minister of Health
Ms. Darinka Iankova – Deputy Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection
Mr. Grozdan Iliev – Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Cassation
Mr. Plamen Georgiev – Deputy Minister of Justice
Mr. Dimitar Iordanov – Deputy Chairperson of the State Agency „National Security“
Mr. Petko Petkov – Deputy Director of the National Investigation Service
Mr. Ivan Naidenov – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ms. Milena Damianova – Deputy Minister of Education and Science
Ms. Zornica Rusinova – Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy
2005-2009
Chairperson:
Mr. Daniel Valtchev – Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National commision for combating trafficking in human beings (regarding decision of The Council of Ministers № 860/4.11. 2005)
Members
Mr. Milen Keremedchiev – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dr. Valeri Tzekov – Deputy Minister of Health
Mr. Rumen Andreev – Deputy Chairperson of the Central Commission for Combating Juvenile Delinquency and Deputy Minister of Interior.
Ms. Sonia Iankulova – Deputy Minister of Interior
Dr. Yasen Yanev – Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy
Ms. Mukades Nalbant – Deputy Minister of Education and Science
Mr. Hristo Monov – Deputy Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection
Mr. Rumen Nenkov – Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Cassation
Mr. Rumen Georgiev – Deputy Director of the National Investigation Service
Mr. Hristo Manchev – Deputy Supreme Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Cassation
Mr. Boyko Rashkov – Deputy Minister of Justice
Mr. Nikolay Nikolov – Deputy Chairperson of the State Agency „National Security“
2004 – 2005
Chairperson:
Plamen Panaiotov – Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National commision for combating trafficking in human beings (regarding decision of The Council of Ministers № 785/01.10. 2004)