Speaking at the 33^rd meeting of the Committee of the Parties on the Council of Europe’s Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Chair of the Current Affairs Committee, Bryony Rudkin (United Kingdom, SOC/G/PD), highlighted the key role that local and regional authorities play in combatting human trafficking.

She underlined the need for concerted action at all levels of government to combat human trafficking, an issue reflected amongst the key challenges identified in the Reykjavik Declaration adopted by the heads of State and Government in May 2023.

In follow-up to this declaration, the Current Affairs Committee is presently exploring how and where cities and regions are already taking action to combat trafficking and where they can play a role in bridging existing gaps in this fight. A first exchange on the matter was held at the Committee’s meeting in June 2023 with the Chair of the Council’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), Helga Gayer.

“As local politicians, we have committed to improving our local communities and the lives of our citizens. Combatting human trafficking is an integral part of the road towards delivering this promise,” Ms Rudkin concluded.

"As the first point of contact, local and regional authorities have a key role to play in preventing trafficking in human beings and protecting victims," says GRETA's President - Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (coe.int)

Committee of the Parties of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings