“The results and activities are visible, the National Anti-trafficking Commission and other stakeholders in co-operation with the action successfully raised awareness of different target groups about the risks of human trafficking”, stated Magdalena Nestorovska, the National Co-ordinator of the National Commission on fight against trafficking and illegal migration at the opening of the fourth Steering Committee meeting of the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Preventing and combating human trafficking in North Macedonia”.
“The action in North Macedonia effectively executed the workplan of the activities in the past six months in a harmonious co-operation with the beneficiaries and NGOs”, concluded Svetlana Vlahovic, the Deputy National Co-ordinator for trafficking in human beings, who chaired the meeting.
The Steering Committee noted that despite the pandemic, the action has continued to empower relevant institutions and stakeholders through capacity-building of education professionals, legal professionals, media and journalists, public awareness campaigns and education initiatives on preventing and combating human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation and child trafficking, as well as by providing legislative support on access to compensation for victims of human trafficking. The discussion also focused on the created synergies among the EU Delegation, national beneficiaries and Council of Europe, effective communication and networking for joint action against this crime, which was especially needed in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was held on-line on 26 March 2021. It gathered 23 participants from the Council of Europe, the European Union Delegation to North Macedonia, the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration, the line Ministries, the State Inspectorate of Labour, the Bureau for Development of Education, the Academy for judges and prosecutors, the Bar Association, the Ombudsperson, as well civil society organisations.
This event is organised in the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”, implemented by the Council of Europe.