Within the XXI Counselling in the field of Criminal Law, which took place in Neum and gathered judicial officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, a panel on the topic of access to justice, rights and effective remedies for victims of human trafficking was organised with the support of the Council of Europe project “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Bosnia and Herzegovina” and in cooperation with the Association of Judges in the Federation of BiH, as well as judicial and prosecutorial associations and training centres from all levels of jurisdiction in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thirty-five judicial officials discussed the processes of identification and protection of trafficking victims and witnesses of trafficking. Identification of online human trafficking and exploitation, as well as child begging and protection of minors in Bosnia and Herzegovina were also part of the programme.

The judge of the Appellate Court of the Brčko District, Šejla Drpljanin, presented a case adjudicated by the Basic Court in Doboj, which awarded a compensation to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation for the first time in civil proceedings. The Counselling in the field of Criminal Law is a yearly event, which the Council of Europe anti-trafficking project will continue to follow and support.