A delegation of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an evaluation visit to Liechtenstein on 5-7 March 2024 as part of the third evaluation round of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The focus of this evaluation round of the Convention is on trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies. Prior to the visit, the Liechtenstein authorities provided a reply to GRETA’s questionnaire for the third evaluation round. In addition to the new thematic focus, GRETA verified how the main recommendations made in its joint first and second evaluation report have been implemented.
During the visit, the GRETA delegation met Mr Andreas Schädler, Head of the Crime Investigation Division of the National Police, who acts as Chairman of the National Roundtable on trafficking in human beings, as well as officials from the Office of Social Services and its Children and Youth Service Division, the Migration and Passport Office, the Office for Foreign Affairs, the Office of Economic Affairs and its Labour Inspection Bureau, the Victim Support Office and the Financial Intelligence Unit. Further, meetings were held with prosecutors and members of the judiciary. Discussions were also held with Members of Parliament (Landtag).
The GRETA delegation held separate meetings with representatives of non-governmental organisations and the trade union LANV.
In the course of the visit, the GRETA delegation visited a refugee reception centre, which accommodates vulnerable asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children and possible victims of human trafficking.
The visit was carried out by Ms Rita Penedo and Mr Georgios Vanikiotis, members of GRETA, who were accompanied by Mr Roemer Lemaître of the Secretariat of the Convention.
Following the visit, GRETA will prepare a draft report, which will be sent to the Liechtenstein authorities for comments. GRETA will subsequently adopt a final report which will be published at the end of 2024.
See also: Country monitoring | Liechtenstein
