New technologies are providing opportunities to traffickers to recruit and exploit victims, but at the same time create possibilities for the enforcement agencies to prevent and combat this crime. In April 2022, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published a report on online and technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings. It offers a thorough analysis on how information and communication technology (ICT) are affecting the fight against human trafficking, based on evidence systematically collected from the ratifying parties to the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, as well as anti-trafficking NGOs and tech companies.
In view of recent cases of ICT-facilitated trafficking in children, which were detected and investigated in North Macedonia, the EU and Council of Europe joint action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia” recognised the need to shed light on the misuse of the ICT by traffickers for recruitment of victims, including children, as well as on proactive use of new technologies to prevent and combat human trafficking. In this framework, the action supported the drafting of the “Guide on ICT and human trafficking in North Macedonia”, carried out by the NGO “Impetus”.
To discuss the main findings of this report, 23 representatives from institutions in North Macedonia, in charge with investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating human trafficking crimes, as well as representatives from anti-trafficking non-governmental organisations and international organisations met in Skopje.
“There is a great need for digital literacy for children and their parents regarding use of social networks. Children must know how to protect themselves and prevent instances of online human trafficking”, affirmed Svetlana Cvetkovska, the Co-ordinator of the National Referral Mechanism at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.
The participants emphasised the need for educational and information activities on ICT and human trafficking, not only for the professionals working in the area, but also for the general public, the media and especially children. According to them, more specialised human resources and technical capacities are needed to keep-up with the development of technology and effectively combat this crime. International co-operation is also fundamental for effectively combating ICT-facilitated human trafficking, since ICT enables the profit-motivated traffickers to access global markets and to successfully cover the traces of this heinous crime.
The finalised Guide on ICT and human trafficking in North Macedonia will help local actors in the process of detection and identification of victims recruited and exploited on-line, and contribute towards better prevention of human trafficking.
The activity was organised as part of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, phase III.