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Council of Europe Office in Belgrade

Back Serbia strengthens its legal framework against trafficking in human beings

Serbia is advancing the fight against human trafficking with the adoption of the Law on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Victims which will enter into force on 1 January 2027.

This legislative development marks a major milestone in aligning national legislation with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the European Union acquis and other relevant international standards.

Throughout the drafting process, the action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia”, implemented under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye", provided legal expertise and technical support. The Council of Europe remains committed to supporting Serbia in the effective implementation of the new law.

Serbia 27 August 2026

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The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade was opened by the Secretary General on 16 March 2001, as a contact point for co-operation with the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which had applied for membership in the Council of Europe. The work was already underway on joint projects. It has remained in place ever since.

Serbia became the 45th member of the Council of Europe in April 2003, a development that was a natural consequence of the major political changes which took place in autumn 2000 and which allowed Serbia to claim its rightful place among the democratic states of Europe.

Through the Office in Belgrade, the Council of Europe continues to assist the country in its process of democratic reforms and its European integration. In recent years, the Office, in close co-operation with the Serbian authorities, has supported reforms of democratic institutions, the rule of law, human and minority rights, including of the Roma and the LBGTI communities, and local and regional self-government.

The Office also continues to assist with co-operation regarding economic, social, cultural, scientific, legal and administrative matters, and in the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Belgrade Office: Results in 2025