San Marino has taken additional measures to combat trafficking in human beings, according to a new report published today by the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), but a number of issues continue to give rise to concern.
The report assesses developments since the publication of GRETA’s first evaluation report on San Marino in July 2014 as regards the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The positive steps taken by the country’s authorities include 2015 amendments to the Law on the Entry and Stay of Foreigners, enabling the issuing of renewable residence permits to victims of trafficking in human beings for humanitarian reasons and/or for the purpose of their co-operation in the investigation or criminal proceedings. Another positive development concerns foreign citizens working as private carers, who have been enabled to obtain work and residence permits for the duration of 12 months, without the requirement to leave San Marino prior to requesting new permits. The setting up of a dedicated helpdesk to provide private carers with information on their rights is also commendable.
Furthermore, through the adoption of Law No. 57 on 6 May 2016, the assistance measures and protection envisaged for victims of violence have been extended to victims of human trafficking.
However, there are several areas which require action, according to the report.
The report stresses that even though no cases of human trafficking have been discovered in San Marino, the provision of training to relevant professionals is crucial for enabling them to detect indicators of human trafficking and deal with them in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. GRETA urges the San Marino authorities to adopt a policy document in the area of human trafficking or to incorporate action to combat human trafficking in an already existing policy document plan. This should cover measures to raise awareness of human trafficking and to provide training to relevant professionals.
Moreover, GRETA urges the San Marino authorities to take legislative or other measures to identify victims of trafficking and to ensure that they can receive adequate assistance and support.
Further, GRETA once again urges the San Marino authorities to ensure that the recovery and reflection period provided for in Article 13 of the Convention is specifically defined in law.
