Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Serbia

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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Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia

What is the goal?

► To support the implementation of recommendations resulting from the monitoring of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Serbia. This includes in particular recommendations to improve the identification, protection of and assistance to victims of human trafficking and persons in at risks’ situations.

Who benefits from the Action?

► Ministry of Interior - National Anti-trafficking coordination office, Ministry of Employment, Labour, Veteran and Social Affairs - Labour Inspectorate and Centre for Human Trafficking Victims’ Protection, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Ministry of Health, Judicial Academy
► Civil society organisations
► Private sector’s representatives, including businesses and trade unions
► Victims of trafficking and persons in vulnerable or at risks’ situations, in particular children and women.

How will the Action work?

► Research and policy support
► Multi-disciplinary trainings
► Seminars
► Awareness raising events.

What do we expect to achieve?

► Improved detection and identification of, and assistance to victims of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation
► Improved detection and identification of, and assistance to child victims of human trafficking
► Labour inspectors and other key anti-trafficking stakeholders are involved in the identification of victims of trafficking and their referral to assistance and protection
► Greater awareness of all actors, including general public and private sector’s representatives, about specific vulnerabilities to trafficking situations and the rights of trafficked persons.

How much will it cost?

► The total budget of the Action is 750.000 EUR
► The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

LEAFLET

How to get more information?

► Council of Europe Office in Belgrade website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/belgrade
Action on Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia
Mirjana Majstorovic, Project Officer, [email protected]
► Horizontal Facility website: https://pjp-eu.coe.int/en/web/horizontal-facility/home
► Marija Simić, Horizontal Facility Communication Officer, [email protected], +381 63 601 337
Besnik Baka, Horizontal Facility Communication Officer, [email protected], +355 69 217 8430