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Action against Trafficking in Human Beings www.coe.int/trafficking
Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
Newsletter January - May 2020
Version française
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council of Europe’s work on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings has continued. Following the declaration of state of emergency and other restrictive measures by Council of Europe member states, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) cancelled its 37th plenary meeting at the end of March 2020. Nevertheless, GRETA used a written procedure to adopt the final reports on Austria, Cyprus and Slovak Republic, sending them to the respective national authorities for final comments prior to their publication. GRETA’s third evaluation round timetable is currently being rescheduled to take into account the postponed country visits to Armenia, Latvia, Malta and the United Kingdom. Responding to the concerns raised by the negative impact on trafficking of the COVID-19 virus, GRETA issued a statement and discussed how to ensure that its activities continue to the best extent possible.
In time of emergency the rights and safety of trafficking victims must be respected and protected
03/04/2020

It is in such times that GRETA must remind leaders of state parties of the legal and moral obligation not to cut corners on the rights and protection of the most vulnerable, which include victims of human trafficking.
GRETA publishes 9th General report on its activities
03/04/2020

The number of people across Europe identified as being victims of human trafficking rose by almost half between 2015 and 2018,according to the latest annual report from the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA).
Co-operation activities
To maintain pace with the continued need for building capacities under restricted conditions, a series of online HELP courses (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) on Trafficking in Human
Beings for legal professionals was launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia. To widen the target groups and to encourage specialisation in Trafficking in Human Beings issues, the HELP courses were also opened for law students (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia) and to the members of Bar Associations (Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia). Building capacities of lawyers is part of the multi-disciplinary approach promoted by the Council of Europe cooperation projects that include awareness-raising and training for lawyers as part of the building block to improve access of victims to protection and assistance.
GRETA visits Montenegro as part of the third evaluation round
06/03/2020

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 Montenegro from 2 to 5 March 2020 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
GRETA visits Romania as part of the third evaluation round
06/03/2020

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 the Romania from 2 to 6 March 2020 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
GRETA publishes a combined 1st/2nd round report on Monaco
12/02/2020

In its first report on Monaco published today, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) welcomes the initiatives taken by Monaco, but asks the authorities to adopt legislative measures, public policies and practical provisions in line with a human rights-based and victim-centred approach.
GRETA publishes first report on Czech Republic
11/02/2020


The Czech Republic has taken important steps to combat trafficking in human beings, but improvements are needed through legislative, policy and practical measures, notably in respect of the identification, protection and compensation of victims, as well as the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, says GRETA in a report issued today.
Upcoming
  • 12 June 2020 - 26th Committee of the Parties meeting, with adoption of Recommendations on Czech Republic (1st evaluation round), Monaco (1st\2nd evaluation rounds combined), Austria, Cyprus and Slovak Republic (3rd evaluation round)
  • 29 June – 3 July 2020 - 37th GRETA meeting
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