Financial investigations, confiscation of criminal assets and access to compensation for victims of trafficking in human beings were at the heart of Panel II – Trafficking in Human Beings, Hate Speech and Protection of Victims of Violence, held within the XIX Professional Conference of Prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Council of Europe.

The Panel brought together 24 participants, with Council of Europe sessions focusing on the financial aspects of trafficking in human beings and the importance of financial investigations for effective detection and prosecution of trafficking offences. Particular attention was given to tracing financial flows, identifying and confiscating proceeds of crime, and improving victims’ access to compensation.

The sessions featured the Guide on Conducting Financial Investigations, Asset Confiscation and Management, and Compensation of Victims in Trafficking in Human Beings Cases, as well as relevant practice of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through practical examples and discussions, participants explored the application of these mechanisms in trafficking cases and their importance for the effective prosecution of perpetrators and protection of victims’ rights.

The Panel also included sessions delivered by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressing access to justice for victims of trafficking and relevant case-law, hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents, as well as responses to domestic violence, violence against women and femicide.

The XIX Professional Conference of Prosecutors brought together more than 120 participants, speakers and guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region: representatives of judicial institutions, professional associations, the international community, law enforcement agencies, civil society and academia. The Conference was organised by the Association of Prosecutors of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in co-operation with the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centres of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, the Judicial Commission of Brčko District and other partners. Conclusions adopted by the panels will be consolidated and shared with relevant institutions and stakeholders.

The Council of Europe’s support to the Conference forms part of its continued efforts to strengthen the capacities of criminal justice professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively combat trafficking in human beings, with particular emphasis on financial investigations, confiscation of criminal assets and improving victims’ access to compensation.

The activity was organised within the framework of the Council of Europe project “Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Responses in Bosnia and Herzegovina through Systemic Reform, Policy Development and Comprehensive Support for Victims”, funded through voluntary contributions under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029.