Action against Trafficking in Human Beings www.coe.int/trafficking

Action against Trafficking in Human Beings


Newsletter May-September 2021

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GRETA calls on states to include victims and survivors of human trafficking in the design and implementation of prevention, protection and social inclusion policies and measures

GLOBAL 30 JULY 2021

On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) joins the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) in calling on stakeholders to include victims’ and survivors’ perspectives in all anti-trafficking action (link to the statement).
The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings puts the protection of the rights of victims at the heart of anti-trafficking action. Ensuring that the human rights of victims of trafficking are at the forefront in combating human trafficking is critical to all aspects of GRETA’s work.
“GRETA stresses that the provision of timely and effective assistance to victims of trafficking is essential to encourage them to break away from the traffickers and ensure their recovery and social inclusion,” stated Helga Gayer, President of GRETA. “Victims of trafficking should be given the opportunity to play a role in criminal proceedings against traffickers, if they so wish, and to receive compensation. Measures to improve support should include consultation of victims and survivors of human trafficking to ensure that their needs are adequately met.”

Israel accedes to the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

STRASBOURG 28 MAY 2021

Israel is the 48th country to become a Party to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS No. 197). The Convention will enter into force as regards Israel on 1 September 2021.Israel (observer state to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) is the second non-member state, after Belarus, to have acceded to the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Pursuant to the Rules of procedure for evaluation of the implementation of the Convention, GRETA will launch the first evaluation round with regard to Israel at the earliest one year and at the latest two years following the entry into force of the Convention for Israel.

GRETA holds its 41st plenary meeting

STRASBOURG 5-8 JULY 2021

The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) held its 41st meeting from 5 to 8 July 2021 (a combination of physical and online meeting).

During the meeting, GRETA adopted final reports on Malta and the United Kingdom as part of the third round of evaluation of the Convention. GRETA also approved draft reports on France and Latvia, under the third evaluation round of the Convention. In the course of the meeting, GRETA adopted the second report on the compliance of Kosovo* with the standards of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Further, GRETA held an exchange on issues of common interest with the Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) as well as with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees.

28th meeting of the Committee of the Parties

STRASBOURG 4 JUNE 2021

The 28th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings was held in Strasbourg on 4 June 2021 (a combination of physical and online meeting). During the meeting, the Committee adopted recommendations concerning Bulgaria, Denmark, Georgia, Montenegro and Romania, based on GRETA’s third round evaluation reports. The Committee elected Ms Svala Ísfeld Ólafsdóttir (Icelandic) as a member of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) for a first term of office running until 31 December 2022. At the same meeting, the Committee elected Ambassador Christian Meuwly (Switzerland) and Ambassador Marie Fontanel (France) as, respectively, its new Chair and Vice-Chair, for a first term of office of one year.

GRETA carries out second evaluation visit to Belarus

BELARUS 28 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER 2021

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Belarus from 28 September to 1 October 2021 as part of the second evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
During the visit, the GRETA delegation held consultations with representatives of relevant ministries, committees, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. In addition, the delegation travelled to Brest where it met representatives of relevant regional and local authorities and law enforcement agencies.

GRETA carries out third evaluation visit of Norway

NORWAY 20-24 SEPTEMBER 2021

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Norway on 20-24 September 2021 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Consultations and meetings were held with representatives of relevant ministries, departments, Ombuds, civil society and lawyers. The visit provided an opportunity to visit several shelters and safe houses run by NGOs and have discussions with victims of trafficking.

GRETA visits Armenia as part of the third evaluation round

ARMENIA 6-10 SEPTEMBER 2021

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Armenia from 6 to 10 September 2021 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
During the visit, GRETA held consultations with representatives of relevant ministries, NGOs and intergovernmental organisations. It also visited a specialised shelter for victims of human trafficking in Yerevan and the Child and Family Support Centre of Lori Region in Vanadzor.

GRETA visits Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the third evaluation round

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 6-10 SEPTEMBER 2021

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 6-10 September 2021 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The GRETA delegation held meetings with representatives of relevant ministries, intergovernmental organisations and civil society. It also visited the Ušivak Temporary Reception Centre for migrants, including unaccompanied children, in the Hadžići Municipality.

GRETA visits Portugal as part of the third evaluation round

PORTUGAL 14-18 JUNE 2021

A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Portugal from 14 to 18 June 2021 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The GRETA delegation held consultations with representatives of relevant minitries, intergovernmental organisations, civil society and lawyers. During the visit, the GRETA delegation visited three shelters for victims of human trafficking, as well as two centres for social reintegration of victims of trafficking. Further, it visited a reception centre for unaccompanied children and another one for adult asylum seekers.

GRETA publishes its third report on Romania

STRASBOURG 3 JUNE 2021

The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has urged Romania to ensure that human trafficking offences lead to effective and dissuasive sanctions and that victims of trafficking have access to compensation. In a report published today evaluating access to justice and effective remedies for victims of trafficking in human beings, GRETA notes that Romania has continued to develop the legislative and policy framework relevant to action against trafficking.

GRETA publishes its third report on Montenegro

STRASBOURG 2 JUNE 2021

In a new report on Montenegro published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking group GRETA calls on the authorities to improve trafficking victims’ access to justice and compensation, and to ensure that perpetrators are punished. GRETA acknowledges that progress has been made in some areas since the publication of GRETA’s second evaluation report on Montenegro in September 2016, such as adopting standard operating procedures for the identification of victims of trafficking and setting up a multi-disciplinary identification team.

GRETA publishes its third report on Bulgaria

STRASBOURG 29 APRIL 2021

In a new report on Bulgaria published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking group GRETA calls on the authorities to improve trafficking victims’ access to justice and compensation, and to ensure the sustainability of anti-trafficking measures through the allocation of appropriate funding. This third report on Bulgaria’s implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings focuses on access to justice and effective remedies for victims of trafficking in human beings.

Conference: “Ending trafficking in children and young persons: Together, towards a future without child trafficking in Europe”

ONLINE 4-5 MAY 2021

The conference was organised under the German Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and featured presentations on the results of the THB LIBERI project, led by the German Federal Criminal Police Office and co-funded by the European Union. The aim of the conference was to discuss challenges and innovative approaches which can have a positive impact on combating child trafficking. It enabled the sharing of practice-oriented, multi-disciplinary knowledge which can improve the detection of child victims, the investigation of cases and the protection of victims’ rights. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on human trafficking, in particular on increasing vulnerabilities and exploitation online, were underscored by participants.

Regional conference “Acting together in the face of crisis: Protecting children from trafficking and exploitation in the Western Balkans”

ONLINE 22-23 JUNE 2021

Organised in the framework of the joint European Union - Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility II for the Western Balkans and Turkey (2019-2022), the regional conference took stock of trends and new challenges in child trafficking, identified positive initiatives, and discussed areas where improvements can be induced through capacity building, co-ordination and co-operation.Child trafficking in the Western Balkans region has continued to increase, despite a number of legislative and practical measures taken over the years. In the context of mixed migration flows, the number of unaccompanied or separated children in the region has grown, and there are challenges in ensuring their protection from trafficking and exploitation. The COVID-19 pandemic has made children even more vulnerable to trafficking, and there are reports of increased grooming and exploitation of children online.The online event gathered over 130 participants from the region and beyond, who underscored the importance of placing the rights and best interests of the child at the heart of policies and practical measures to prevent and combat human trafficking.


Upcoming

October - December 2021 GRETA 3rd evaluation visit to Latvia (11-12 October 2021) GRETA 3rd evaluation visit to Belgium (25-29 October 2021) GRETA 3rd evaluation visit to Luxembourg (26-29 October 2021) GRETA 3rd evaluation visit to Ireland (6-10 December 2021) Round-table to discuss the implementation of GRETA's first report on Turkey (7 October 2021) 34th meeting of the Coordination Group between the Council of Europe and the OSCE (15 October 2021- online) Round-table to discuss the implementation of GRETA's first report on the Czech Republic (8 November 2021) Joint CoE-OSCE annual meeting of National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinators and Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms (15-16 November 2021, Strasbourg and online) GRETA's 42nd meeting (22-26 November 2021, Strasbourg and online) 29th Committee of the Parties' meeting (17 December 2021)

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