Supporting Malta in the design and implementation of a new anti-trafficking strategy (2022-2024)
About the project
The Project aims to contribute to the ongoing policy reform for combating trafficking in human beings in Malta. This reform requires special attention and expertise due to the complex and evolving nature of human trafficking. The Council of Europe will provide its technical support to the Maltese authorities to design and implement a new Anti-trafficking Strategy and Action Plan in accordance with international standards in this area, in particular the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. As Party to this Convention, Malta must adopt a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach, incorporating prevention, protection of victims’ rights and prosecution of traffickers. The project will make sure that the Strategy follows a human-rights based, gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach, covering prevention, protection and assistance of victims, access to justice, including compensation, an effective criminal justice approach and international cooperation.
The Project is co-funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the European Commission.
Duration of the project: 22 September 2022 – 21 September 2024
Workshop: understanding existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with a view to improving the anti-trafficking action in Malta
What are the existing strengths and weaknesses of Malta which can be identified as relevant factors in its fight against trafficking in human beings? What are the opportunities it may use to strengthen its actions, bearing in mind existing threats? These are important questions that need to be...
Malta Inter-Ministerial Committee for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, a key actor in the joint Council of Europe project
The Council of Europe presented the Joint Project on “Supporting Malta in the design and implementation of a new National Anti-Trafficking Strategy and its first findings at the second meeting the Anti-Human Trafficking Inter-ministerial Committee (IMC) of Malta held online on 23 March 2023. Set...
Webinar: Building a common understanding of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation in Malta
How to prevent and combat human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation in Malta? This question was addressed during a webinar, organised on 20 March 2023, to present the Recommendation adopted in 2022 by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on preventing and combating...
What do we expect to achieve?
The Project is expected to achieve key results in supporting the Maltese authorities in the design and implementation of the new anti-trafficking Strategy and its accompanying Action Plan by using a multidisciplinary approach to:
- Establish a common strategic vision and goals for the fight against trafficking in human beings;
- Develop and test tools and processes to ensure that the Strategy is effective;
- Prepare Operational Guidelines to foster the coordination of stakeholders sustainably;
- Build capacities to support the implementation of the tools and the coordination of processes of the Strategy.
Who benefits from the Project and what are the Target Groups?
The Human Rights Initiatives Unit within the Human Rights Directorate of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality is the lead institution for the management and coordination of the project on behalf of the Maltese authorities.
Other stakeholders to be involved in the implementation of the project will include:
- Relevant Ministries as represented by the Anti-Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee
- Office of the Prime Minister
- National Statistics Office
- Courts
- Office of the Attorney General
- Office of the State Advocate
- Commissioner for Children
- Non-Governmental Organisations
- Chamber of Commerce
- Private Sector
- Trade Unions
- Employers’ Association
- Media
Who do we work with?
The Human Rights Initiatives Unit (HRIU) within the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) under the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reform and Equality (MHSR).
