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 from 20 to 22 November 2018 to assess the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings which entered into force in respect of Liechtenstein on 1 May 2016.
In the course of 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 Migration and Passport Office, the Office of Economic Affairs, the Labour Inspection Bureau, the Office for Foreign Affairs, the Office of Social Services and its Children and Youth Service Division, and the Victim Support Office. Further, meetings were held with prosecutors and members of the judiciary. Discussions were also held with Members of Parliament and representatives of Liechtenstein’s National Institution for Human Rights.
In addition, the GRETA delegation met a representative of the Financial Sector Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, a project developed jointly by the Government of Liechtenstein and the United Nations University’s Centre for Policy Research, in partnership with the Government of Australia, a consortium of Liechtenstein banks and the Liechtenstein banking association.
The GRETA delegation held separate meetings with representatives of non-government organisations, the trade union LANV and researchers.
In the course of the visit, the GRETA delegation visited a shelter for female victims of domestic violence, which can accommodate victims of human trafficking, and a reception centre for asylum seekers.
The visit was carried out by Ms Helga Gayer and Mr Helmut Sax, members of GRETA, who were accompanied by Mr Mats Lindberg 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. The report will GRETA will subsequently adopt a final report, to be published in the autumn of 2019.
