Some 40 representatives of Lithuanian government agencies, public bodies and civil society met on 12 June 2026 in Vilnius to discuss the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against trafficking in Human Beings, drawing on the third evaluation report issued by the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) and the related Committee of the Parties’ recommendation.
The round-table meeting was co-organised by the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe and the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsperson of Lithuania. The meeting was opened by the Parliamentary Ombudsperson, Dr Jolita Miliuvienė, who highlighted the designation of the Office of the Ombudsperson as independent National Rapporteur on human trafficking. Further, Mr Mantas Svečiulis, Advisor to the Minister of the Interior, noted the evolving context in which anti-trafficking measures are being implemented and referred to the preparation of a new anti-trafficking National Action Plan for 2027-2029. Ms Petya Nestorova, Head of the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe, stressed the readiness of the Council of Europe to assist Lithuania in its efforts to combat trafficking in human beings.
The discussions focused on improving trafficking victims’ access to legal aid and compensation, measures to prevent and combat human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, strengthening the identification of victims of trafficking, including at the border, the provision of assistance and protection to victims, and the co-ordination of anti-trafficking action at national and local level.
Lithuania is expected to report to the Committee of the Parties on the measures taken to comply with its recommendation by 21 June 2026.
