Some 30 representatives of German government agencies and civil society met on 25 February 2026 in Berlin to discuss the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against trafficking in Human Beings, on the basis of the third evaluation report issued by the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) and the related Committee of the Parties’ recommendation.
The round-table meeting was co-organised by the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe and the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. The meeting was opened by Ms Katharina Jestaedt, Director General, Head of Directorate-General for Women and Gender Equality at the Ministry, who underlined the country’s commitment to combating human trafficking and highlighted progress in this area, including the adoption of the first comprehensive National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings and Protect Trafficked Persons. Ms Petya Nestorova, Head of the Anti-Trafficking Division of the Council of Europe, stated that the Council of Europe is ready to assist Germany in advancing the implementation of the Convention.
The discussions focused on improving trafficking victims’ access to justice, including though the provision of legal assistance, compensation and protection measures, and the application of the non-punishment provision. The exchanges also addressed measures to combat human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, to discourage demand for services of victims, and to improve victim identification and the application of the recovery and reflection period.
Germany is expected to report to the Committee of the Parties on the measures taken to comply with its recommendation by 21 June 2026.
