Lawyers and NGOs Unite in Strasbourg to Combat Human Trafficking
Ten years after the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015) was enacted, it initially promised enhanced protection and support for trafficking victims, tougher penalties for traffickers, and greater corporate accountability. However, the Act has fallen short of these aspirations.
Current Challenges in Victim Protection and Compensation
New approaches are urgently needed to ensure survivors receive adequate redress. This week, GRETA (the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings), part of the Council of Europe overseeing the Anti-Trafficking Convention, convened a meeting in Strasbourg. The event brought together lawyers and NGOs to share best practices and innovative methods for supporting survivors in asserting their legal rights.
Key Obstacles Faced by Survivors
- Survivors encounter considerable difficulties in obtaining compensation both from traffickers and from State bodies.
- Misclassification of trafficking offenses as lesser crimes, such as pimping, remains a frequent problem.
International Perspectives
Representatives from Romania, Albania, Switzerland, and Norway highlighted how common it is for trafficking offenses to be wrongly categorized, which further undermines justice for victims in these countries.
“It was widely accepted by all participants that survivors still face significant hurdles when trying to secure compensation from their traffickers and from the State.”
These discussions underscore persistent protection gaps and the need for more effective legal enforcement to aid trafficking survivors.
Author’s Summary
This gathering in Strasbourg highlights ongoing obstacles in victim compensation and legal recognition of trafficking offenses, emphasizing the need for fresh strategies to improve survivor support.
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