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.”
