EU National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs discuss preparedness, crisis response and national action plans to fight trafficking in human beings

On 4 June, approximately 60 participants representing EU Member States, international organisations (OSCE and Council of Europe) and Ukraine met online for the meeting of the EU Network of National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators and Rapporteurs.

The meeting was co-chaired by the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator and the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus, representing the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

The meeting focused on preparedness and crisis response mechanisms for trafficking in human beings as well as the development and implementation of national action plans to support the fight against trafficking.

Participants agreed that strengthened cooperation, contingency planning, early identification systems, referral mechanisms and targeted victim protection measures are essential to address trafficking risks during emergencies and crisis situations.

The meeting also highlighted lessons from Ukraine's refugee crisis, following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU's Temporary Protection Directive as well as the development and implementation of the Common Anti-Trafficking Plan under the leadership of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with the support of EU Member States, EU Agencies and civil society, are vital in preventing exploitation and reducing the risks of trafficking.

The meeting also focused on National Action Plans as essential tools to translate policy priorities into concrete actions. Participants highlighted that National Action Plans provide an important framework for setting strategic priorities, strengthening coordination and enhancing operational action at national level. Participants also discussed persistent challenges, notably the allocation of adequate resources and the securing of sustainable funding to support effective implementation. The discussion also highlighted the need to ensure continuity of action and prevent gaps in national responses upon expiry of existing plans.

The meeting also presented the EU Anti-Trafficking Hub study on National Referral Mechanisms which will be published in the coming months.

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Intensifying a coordinated and comprehensive response to trafficking in human beings

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