On the European Anti-Trafficking Day, the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) emphasizes that human trafficking is not only a grave violation of human rights but also a threat to democracy itself. Trafficking undermines the rule of law, weakens public trust, and exploits the most vulnerable, including migrants, asylum seekers, and disadvantaged minorities.
“Where people are silenced, bought, displaced or exploited, the very foundations of our democratic societies are undermined. Trafficking in human beings is not only a violation of individual rights – it is an assault on the shared values that unite us: human dignity, equality, and justice,” stated Conny Rijken, President of GRETA.
“The Council of Europe’s New Democratic Pact reminds us that democracy is not an abstract principle, but a living commitment to the dignity and participation of all. To prevent and combat human trafficking is to make democracy real – for the woman forced into sexual exploitation, for the worker trapped in forced labour, for the child deprived of freedom and hope,” she underlined.
Through its monitoring, recommendations and dialogue with governments and civil society, GRETA works to uphold this democratic promise in practice. Protecting victims, preventing exploitation, and ensuring accountability are essential elements of a democratic system that leaves no one behind.
In times of growing inequality, conflicts, and economic uncertainty, traffickers exploit vulnerability and indifference. Strengthening democracy – as called for by the New Democratic Pact for Europe – means strengthening our collective ability to resist exploitation, restore trust, and protect every human being.
On this 18 October, GRETA calls on all states and societies to renew their commitment through concrete and effective actions against this grave crime. Combating human trafficking is not only a moral duty – it is a democratic imperative. By defending victims and upholding their rights, democracy itself is strengthened.
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Back in 2007, the Council of Europe commissioned a study on the misuse of the Internet for the recruitment of victims.
Since then, the rapidly increasing availability of technology and generalised access to the Internet have significantly changed the criminal landscape. At the same time, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence create new opportunities, serving as a tool to prevent and investigate crimes, and to identify and assist victims.
Countries monitored by GRETA have reported an increased use of the ICT for recruiting and controlling victims of trafficking, while the evidence base on online and technology-facilitated human trafficking remained limited. Therefore, in 2022, GRETA decided to conduct a study to assess the extent to which technology impacts trafficking and explore the operational and legal challenges that states face in detecting, investigating and prosecuting online and ICT-facilitated trafficking. The study offers 21 evidence-based recommendations on how to enhance detection, investigation and prosecution of technology-facilitated trafficking, cooperation, training and legal instruments, as well as actions to prevent victimisation and re-victimisation.
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The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is an independent body which monitors the way countries implement the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. All 46 member states of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention, as well as non-member states Belarus and Israel.
Council of Europe (newsroom): Human trafficking is not only a grave violation of human rights but also a threat to democracy itself
Council of Europe (thematic work): Online and technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings