Legal professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina travelled to the Netherlands with support from the Council of Europe to learn firsthand about the Dutch model and practices for providing legal assistance and compensation to trafficking victims.

From 6 to 9 October 2025, a delegation of 15 representatives – including free legal aid providers, officials from the ministries of security and justice – had a chance to meet with their peers in the Hague and Amsterdam.

Through exchanges with the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, the Ministry of Justice and Security, Victim Support Netherlands, and NGOs such as the Dutch Red Cross and La Strada International, the delegation explored how coordinated, victim-centred systems function and can deliver more effective remedies. Discussions also focused on practical approaches to legal aid, the right to appeal, compensation, and inter-institutional cooperation.

The visit reinforced Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to strengthening its legal and institutional alignment with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, in line with recommendations by the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA).

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