Mandate

The Division on Migration and Refugees (DMR) was created at the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DG1) on 1 February 2025 to follow-up on the action by the former Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees. Its mandate includes suggesting assistance and support to member states, particularly through the Network of Focal Points on Migration, seeking, collecting and analysing information on the human rights situation of migrants and refugees, as well as complementing and co-ordinating activities of other relevant Council of Europe bodies and our action with other international partners, notably the UNHCR, IOM, EU, and its specialised agencies, and other national, regional and international stakeholders, including civil society organisations. The DMR represents the Council of Europe in the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award Selection Committee, as well as in the Consultative Forums of Frontex and of EUAA.

Back Covid-19 is worsening human trafficking – states should take action, warn Council of Europe experts

Covid-19 is worsening human trafficking – states should take action, warn Council of Europe experts

On 9 April 2021, Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published 10th General Report on its activities, highlighting that the Covid-19 pandemic is having a worrying impact on human trafficking across Europe and states should do more to prevent it.

“The effects of the pandemic have made victims of human trafficking even more vulnerable,” said GRETA President Helga Gayer.

“Frontline NGOs have reported delays in people being formally identified as victims of trafficking, which seriously affects their access to safe accommodation, healthcare and much-needed support whilst also putting them at risk of further abuse.,” she added.

“Traffickers have made the most of the situation, exploiting the precarious financial situation of many of their victims. Furthermore, whilst the authorities are reporting increased sexual exploitation and criminal activity online, stretched resources and delays in the justice system are hampering efforts to bring traffickers to account and to provide justice and compensation to their victims.”

GRETA’s 10th General Report provides a detailed account of its activities from 1 January to 31 December 2020, which include the publication of new guidance to help states meet their obligations under the Council of Europe’s 2005 anti-trafficking convention: a Guidance Note on the entitlement of victims of trafficking, and persons at risk of being trafficked, to international protection and a Guidance Note on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation.

The report includes a dedicated section on the impact of Covid-19 on combating human trafficking and a further section on the identification of trafficked persons amongst asylum seekers and access to international protection by victims of trafficking.

“It is crucial to the safety of vulnerable asylum seekers that those who have been trafficked are effectively identified and provided with the support, assistance and protection to which they are entitled under the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking convention,” added GRETA’s President.

In the report, GRETA again calls on the Russian Federation to ratify the convention, which has already been ratified by all of the other 46 Council of Europe member states as well as non-member Belarus. Israel formally expressed its interest in acceding to the convention in August 2020.

GRETA
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Print Covid-19 is worsening human trafficking – states should take action, warn Council of Europe experts