The second meeting of the Steering Committee for the Council of Europe project Strengthening access to justice and effective remedies for victims of human trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held today. The session brought together key project partners to review the progress achieved thus far and to plan future activities.

During the meeting, participants were presented with the results from the first six months of 2025. These included the organisation of an online course on combatting trafficking in human beings, developed by the Council of Europe’s HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) programme, and the delivery of training for legal aid providers on recognising the needs and rights of trafficking victims in criminal proceedings.

The project also featured a specialised workshop for judicial officials, focused on the importance of victim compensation as a key element in psychological and social recovery. In addition, the translated thematic study on the financial dimensions of the action against human trafficking - particularly sanctions and the capacity of states to seize traffickers' illicit assets - was published.

Support continued for survivors and civil society organisations in designing and implementing independent initiatives.

The project’s key objectives include systematically informing victims of their rights, ensuring more accessible and guaranteed access to justice, and establishing effective compensation mechanisms.

Participants reviewed and adopted the work plan for the upcoming period, underlining the need to strengthen the capacity for providing quality legal aid and to improve the legal framework for upholding victims’ rights. The project will continue contributing to enhanced victim protection and improved access to legal remedies.

The project “Strengthening access to justice and effective remedies for victims of human trafficking in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025 and funded through voluntary contributions.