The Deputy Secretary General, alongside Ms Nouria Yahi Boggio, Regional Director for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, and Ms Nawel Rafik-Elmrini, Deputy Mayor of Strasbourg in charge of European and international relations, opened a film screening and a public debate on “Child trafficking: new faces of slavery, in France as well”, to mark European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings.

She pointed out that “in Europe, where we are lucky to live in more democratically and economically developed societies, slavery is often considered as a thing of the past. However, it still exists, much closer to home than we think. The European Court of Human Rights has firmly stated as much.”

The opening was preceded by the screening of the short film “What do you see?” and followed by the short film #INVISIBLES, with Italian director Guido Freddi in attendance. Afterwards, there was a debate moderated by Mr Nicholas Le Coz, former president of GRETA.

• Speech by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni (French)