On 19 May 2022, the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe organised a round-table meeting to discuss progress made by the Slovak Republic in the implementation of the third report of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), published on 10 June 2020, and the related Committee of the Parties’ recommendation to the Slovak authorities.

The meeting was opened by Mr Vendelin Leitner, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, who highlighted the efforts made by the Slovak authorities in the fight against human trafficking and the rapid response to the challenges posed by the arrival of persons fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Some 25 representatives of relevant ministries, public agencies and civil society organisations discussed progress made and remaining challenges as regards trafficking victims’ access to justice and effective remedies, which is the focus of the third evaluation round of the Convention. Victims’ access to legal assistance, free legal aid and compensation, as well as the criminal justice response to trafficking, were at the centre of the discussions.

The round-table meeting was also an occasion to discuss progress made on the implementation of previous GRETA recommendations. Particular attention was paid to the identification of victims of trafficking, the provision of assistance, measures to prevent and combat trafficking in children, and measures to prevent and detect trafficking for labour exploitation.

The Slovak Republic is expected to report to the Committee of the Parties to the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on measures taken to comply with the recommendations by 12 June 2022.