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 Andorra on 13-15 December 2022 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The focus of this evaluation round of the Convention is on trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. Prior to the visit, the Andorran authorities provided a reply to GRETA’s questionnaire for the third evaluation round. In addition to the new thematic focus, GRETA verified how the main recommendations made in its second evaluation report have been implemented.
During the visit, the GRETA delegation met with the Secretary of State for Justice and the Interior, Mr Joan Antoni León Peso, the Secretary of State for Economy and Companies, Mr Eric Barolomé, as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Youth and Equality. It also met with law enforcement officials, judges and prosecutors, labour inspectors, and child protection and social services staff.
In addition, meetings were held with Mr Marc Vila, Ombudsman (Raonador del Ciutadà), as well as with members of Parliament (Consell General).
Separate meetings were held with representatives of non-governmental organisations and a trade union, as well as with lawyers and representatives of the Andorran Bar Association. Further, GRETA met representatives of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The visit provided the opportunity to visit a reception centre for children in vulnerable situations in Andorra la Vella.
The visit was carried out by Ms Nathalie Martin and Mr Thomas Ahlstrand, members of GRETA, who were accompanied by Ms Daniela Ranalli and Ms Parvine Ghadami of the Secretariat of the Convention.
Following the visit, GRETA will prepare a draft report, which will be sent to the Andorran authorities for comments. GRETA will subsequently adopt a final report which will be published in 2023.
