A new training Manual is in the hands of the police officers in North Macedonia to help them recognise possible cases of trafficking in human beings (THB), respond safely and lawfully and protect victims’ rights. The Manual is a result of the support from the EU and Council of Europe joint action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia” and was developed in co-operation with  the Police Academy of the Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia (MoI). A multi-agency working group, comprised of representatives of the National anti-trafficking commission, the judiciary, prosecution, centres for social work and civil society organisations working directly with victims of human trafficking reviewed the manual to reflect the expertise and perspectives of those involved in preventing and responding to human trafficking.

“In combating human trafficking, it is crucial that police officers are equipped with knowledge and skills to recognise the signs of exploitation, collect evidence and protect human rights of trafficking victims in a professional manner. This Manual is a practical tool for the generations to come in the Police Academy. It outlines indicators for human trafficking and provides guidance for trauma-sensitive interviewing of victim”, said Biljana LALOVA, Chief Inspector for basic training and evaluation in the training sector in the Police Academy.

Referring to the Manual, LALOVA emphasised that different communities are at risk of human trafficking. For example, foreigners do not know Macedonian language and may not feel able to ask for help. People may be controlled through threats, violence, deception, debt, confiscated documents, or pressure on their families. In this framework, safety and support to victims are central to the recommended response to human trafficking for police officers. The Manual also highlights the value of careful, timely evidence gathering and co-ordination with anti-trafficking stakeholders. This resource marks another important milestone in the fruitful co-operation between the Council of Europe and the Police Academy, aimed at strengthening the fight against human trafficking, in line with European standards.
It is available in Macedonian at: https://rm.coe.int/-web-pdf/48802db3c3

The action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in North Macedonia”, is part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint initiative “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.