In a significant development in the global fight against human trafficking, the second regional simulation on the referral of victims of human trafficking in the Southern Mediterranean is happening this week from 24 to 29 September 2023, at the Antonio Machado Campus in Baeza, Spain.

This event, titled "Towards a victim-centered approach in criminal proceedings," is organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of the joint programmes with the European Union¹ with the support of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and in partnership with International University of Andalusia, and the Office of the Spanish Rapporteur on trafficking in human beings.

The simulation focuses on judicial proceedings in criminal matters with an emphasis on the role of the justice sector actors in coordination with other multisectoral stakeholders, to ensure fair victim-centred investigations and prosecutions with a human rights-based approach. This edition brings together more than 100 participants and experts, including representatives of governments, judges and prosecutors, law enforcement, social and medical services, labour inspectorates and civil society.

The North-South Centre of the Council of Europe cooperates in the organisation of this event with its wider geographical mandate, including the MENA region and Africa, and extended network of civil society and youth actors in the Mediterranean region. 

When talking about global and transnational crimes, as it is the case with the fight against human trafficking, it is of utmost importance to involve the widest spectrum of actors. This is why I would like to praise the participation in this activity of no less than 14 countries not only from the two shores of the Mediterranean, but also Sub-Saharan Africa, and to express my appreciation to all the representatives of our Centre’s member States – coming from Cabo Verde, Morocco, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain and Malta.

Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger, Chair of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and Permanent Representative of Malta to the Council of Europe

These regional simulations contribute to the regional dynamic for a more structured regional cooperation based on the comprehensive “4 Ps” approach” (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership) of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against trafficking in human beings.

 For more information, visit the South Programme V webpage.

¹Event organised in the framework of joint programmes « Improving the functioning, performance and access to justice in Tunisia" (AP- JUST) and “Protecting human rights, the rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the southern Mediterranean” (South Programme V) co-financed by the European union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the latter.