More than 100 participants from 14 countries from the Mediterranean region and beyond took part in a regional simulation-based training, in Baeza, Spain, from 25 to 29 September 2023. Entitled "Towards a victim-centred approach in criminal proceedings”, the training brought together representatives of national anti-trafficking agencies, prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, lawyers, social workers, health-care professionals and civil society organisations from Belgium, Cabo Verde, Egypt, France, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Palestine* Portugal, Senegal, Spain and Tunisia.
The event was organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of the joint programmes with the European Union, with the support of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and in partnership with the International University of Andalusia and the Office of the Spanish Rapporteur on trafficking in human beings.
The training was a continuation of the First regional simulation on “Human Trafficking on Migration Routes” held in Malta in October 2022. This edition of the training focused on judicial proceedings in criminal matters, with an emphasis on the roles of different actors, as well as on effective and victim-centred investigation and prosecution to prevent impunity of perpetrators. It underscored the importance of multi-agency coordination in the referral of victims and for ensuring that victims’ rights are respected at all stages. The training also included a moot trial, jointly organised with the Foundation René Cassin.
The event was opened by Ms Pilar Morales, Coordinator of the Neighbourhood Policy with the Southern Mediterranean of the Council of Europe, Ms Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Chair of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre, and Mr Jose Manuel Castro Jimenez, Director of the International University of Andalusia in Baeza. The experience of Spain in combating human trafficking was presented by Mr Enrique Lopez Villanueva, Focal Point at the Office of the National Rapporteur on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. Ms Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, made a presentation on the relevant provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against trafficking in human beings and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
- Concept note and agenda (available in English and Arabic)
The event was organised in the framework of joint programmes “Improving the functioning, performance and access to justice in Tunisia" (AP- JUST) and “Protecting human rights, the rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the southern Mediterranean” (South Programme V) co-financed by the European union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter.
*This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of Council of Europe and European Union member States on this issue.