A delegation of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out a visit to Italy from 21 to 23 September 2016. The visit, organised pursuant to Rule 7 of the Rules of procedure for evaluating implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the Parties,* examined the specific situation of forced returns of victims of trafficking in human beings and identification of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers and migrants.
The visit was carried out by Mr Nicolas Le Coz, President of GRETA, and Ms Siobhán Mullally, First Vice-President of GRETA, who were accompanied by Ms Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Convention.
During the visit, GRETA’s delegation held meetings with relevant officials, in particular from the Ministry of the Interior (Central Directorate for Immigration and Border Police and Central Directorate of Civil Services for Immigration and Asylum), the Prefecture of Rome, the National Commission for Granting International Protection and the Territorial Commission for Granting International Protection in Rome.
Further, the delegation visited the Identification and Expulsion Centre (CIE) at Ponte Galeria as well as the Centre of First Aid and Reception (so-called “hotspot”) in Pozzallo, Sicily.
The GRETA delegation also met representatives of non-governmental organisations, lawyers and officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Frontex.
Following the visit, GRETA will prepare a report which will be sent to the Italian authorities for comments and will subsequently be published.
* Rule 7 provides that "when GRETA receives reliable information indicating a situation where problems require immediate attention to prevent or limit the scale or number of serious violations of the Convention, it may make an urgent request for information to any Party or Parties to the Convention. Taking into account the information submitted by the party or parties concerned, as well as any other reliable information available to it, GRETA may designate rapporteurs to assess the specific situation and, if necessary, carry out a visit to the party or parties concerned."
