CoE Convention against human trafficking takes effect
- 02.02.2008 09:03
- 816
- 2 minute(s)
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The Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings took effect on 1 February 2008. Being the first legally binding European instrument on the issue, the Convention is a further step taken by Europe to fight and prevent human trafficking, prosecute traffickers and protect victims.
Among the Convention’s highlights are: a recovery and reflection period of at least 30 days given to the persons thought to be victims of trafficking; the possibility of issuing residence permits to victims, not just when their stay is necessary for the purpose of their cooperation with the competent authorities in investigation or criminal proceedings, but also for humanitarian reasons; the possibility of incriminating “consumers”; the right of victims to non-incrimination; measures to strengthen the international cooperation system in fighting human trafficking; and the setting up of an independent monitoring body capable of controlling the obligations contained in the Convention.
Moldova was the first CoE member country to ratify the Convention on 19 May 2006; however, until recently, it was unable to profit from the levers offered by it, because at least ten ratifications were required for the Convention to take effect.
So far, of the 23 signatory countries, the Convention has been ratified by Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Romania, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Malta, France and Norway.
