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Summary
The Convention of the Council of Europe addresses all forms of trafficking - whoever the victim and whatever its form - within
its scope. It requires that states who become parties to it take appropriate action aimed at the prevention of trafficking,
that they ensure measures for the protection of victims and the provision of assistance to them, as well as the prosecution
of those responsible for trafficking. It also addresses issues around material criminal law, measures for investigation, procedural
law, international cooperation and cooperation with civil society. Furthermore, it establishes mechanisms for monitoring the
fight against trafficking in human beings.
The aim of this Convention, the only international law that provides victims of trafficking with guaranteed minimum standards
of protection, is the fight against all forms of human trafficking, irrespective of whether its occurrence is connected to
cross-border organised crime or to internal trafficking within a state. It also addresses trafficking that is not necessarily
associated with organised criminal groups. A significant feature of the Convention is the protection of fundamental human
rights. The Convention also mainstreams gender equality in its provisions.
According to the principle of non-discrimination, the protection and support of the victims and their rights is central to
the Convention and no distinction may be made because of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, political
or other convictions, or for any other reasons.
Another priority of this Convention will be the inter-institutional and international cooperation as well as the cooperation
with civil society. It establishes an independent expert group, GRETA, to ensure the discharge and enforcement of measures
against human trafficking. GRETA can seek for assistance from civil society. It will periodically write reports with conclusions
for the assigned parties.
Up to this point, the Convention has been signed by 26 states, but it has not yet been ratified. For the official implementation
of this document as a binding contract at least 10 ratifications, of which 8 must be from EU member-states, are needed.
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/trafficking/
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