The Council of Europe´s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published today its second evaluation report on Norway. The report examines the impact of legislation, policy on trafficking, and the prosecution of traffickers. Particular attention is paid to measures taken to address new trends in human trafficking and the vulnerability of children to trafficking.
According to the report, progress has been made in several areas, such as the development of the legal framework by increasing the maximum penalty for human trafficking to six years´ imprisonment. Furthermore, GRETA welcomes the establishment of specialised anti-trafficking units in the five largest police districts, and the efforts made to provide training to professionals handling with trafficking in human beings. Other positive developments are the use of children´s houses (barnehus) to interview child victims and the opening of a shelter for male victims by the Salvation Army. GRETA also welcomes the fact that the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has granted compensation to victims of trafficking in a number of cases.
However, the report identifies areas which require immediate improvement. The Norwegian authorities are urged to set up a formalised National Referral Mechanism which defines the procedures and roles of all who may come into contact with victims of trafficking, and to improve the identification of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers, migrants and persons placed in detention centres. In addition, the authorities ensure that all possible victims of trafficking are provided with a recovery and reflection period. As regards children, the Norwegian authorities are urged to adopt a National Referral Mechanism which takes into account the special circumstances and needs of child victims, involves child specialists and ensures that the best interests of the child are the primary consideration. Other issues for immediate action include providing appropriate accommodation, access to free legal assistance and psychological support to child victims of human trafficking. Moreover, Norway should take further steps to address the problem of children going missing while in care of the state. The report assesses developments since the publication of GRETA´s first evaluation report on Norway in May 2013 and is based on an evaluation visit to Norway in May 2016 as well as comments from the Norwegian authorities.
