The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted a resolution and a recommendation aimed at stepping up the fight against trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation through outreach programmes for at-risk populations, targeted information campaigns and training, and administrative and financial barriers that disrupt the logistical processes used by human traffickers and exploiters.
Presented at the 48th session on 26 March 2025 by co-rapporteurs Cecilia Dalman Eek (Sweden) and Martine Dieschburg Nickels (Luxembourg), the Congress report emphasises the key role of local authorities in a multi-level and multidisciplinary approach, involving trained referents, NGOs and local services. It calls on the Committee of Ministers to encourage member states to develop national anti-trafficking actions and strategies in consultation with local and regional authorities and their associations and by providing clear guidance on the implementation of new actions.
The Congress report was prepared with the support of and in close collaboration with the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) and its Secretariat. The analysis of GRETA’s country reports allowed for the identification of three procedural matters and one transversal issue which pose challenges and opportunities for local and regional authorities in the fight against trafficking, namely (1) prevention, (2) outreach, detection and referral of victims, (3) assistance to victims, and (4) coordination of anti-trafficking action. The report proposes concrete actions for local and regional authorities to address each of these challenges.
Videos:
Interview with co-rapporteurs Cecilia Dalman Eek and Martine Dieschburg Nickels
See also:
Local and regional elected representatives, allies in the fight against human trafficking
GRETA thematic webpage ‘Combating human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation’
