The smuggling of migrants is a rapidly evolving global crime that endangers human life, exploits vulnerability and cannot be effectively addressed by any State acting alone.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Terms of Reference establishing the Committee of Experts on combatting the smuggling of migrants (PC-TM), a subordinate body of the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC). Countering migrant smuggling was identified as a priority in the Reykjavík Declaration adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe at their 4th Summit in May 2023, in which they committed to intensifying international cooperation while protecting victims and respecting the human rights of migrants and refugees.

In line with this political mandate, participants in the Council of Europe Informal Ministerial Conference on 10 December 2025 reaffirmed their commitment to addressing migrant smuggling and expressed their support for the preparation of a new Recommendation on deterring and fighting the smuggling of migrants, with full respect for their human rights.


 

Against this background, the PC-TM has been mandated by the Committee of Ministers to draft a comprehensive Recommendation on deterring and fighting the smuggling of migrants (SoM), through legal means and other actions, and on international cooperation, taking into account the CDPC Report on the need for and feasibility of a feasibility of a possible new Council of Europe Instrument on the SoM, with full respect for their human rights by the end of 2027. Additionally, the PC-TM will also have to report on the implementation of the Action Plan on Fostering International Co-operation and Investigative Strategies in Fighting the Smuggling of Migrants.

NEWS

Back Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Combatting the Smuggling of Migrants (PC-TM) to hold 1st Plenary Meeting

Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Combatting the Smuggling of Migrants (PC-TM) to hold 1st Plenary Meeting

The Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Combatting the Smuggling of Migrants (PC-TM), a subordinate body of the Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC), will hold its first plenary meeting on 28–29 April 2026 in Strasbourg, France, bringing together delegates from Council of Europe member States, observers and representatives of international organisations.

The meeting will mark the launch of discussions on a draft comprehensive recommendation aimed at deterring and fighting the smuggling of migrants (SoM) through legal means and other actions, and on international cooperation, while ensuring full respect for human rights.
Taking into account the CDPC Report on the need for and feasibility of a possible new Council of Europe Instrument on the SoM, delegations will review an initial draft outline prepared by appointed independent experts, which will serve as the basis for developing the future recommendation.

The two-day meeting will take place at the Palais de l’Europe and will be held in a hybrid format. Mr Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe will deliver concluding remarks on 29 April at 16:30 CEST.  

Strasbourg 1 April 2026
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Meetings
2nd meeting of the PC-TM

2nd meeting of the PC-TM

Strasbourg, 9-10 November 2026
  • Draft agenda
1st meeting of the PC-TM

1st meeting of the PC-TM

Strasbourg, 28-29 April 2026