The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), set up by the Council of Europe, launched the second round of evaluation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in respect of Serbia to examine the impact of legislative, policy and practical measures on the prevention of trafficking, the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking, and the prosecution of traffickers. In preparation of the report, GRETA used the reply to the questionnaire for the second round sent to the Serbian authorities, the report submitted by the Serbian authorities to the Committee of the Parties, as well as information received from civil society.

The final Report concerning the implementation of the CoE Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Serbia was adopted at GRETA’s 30th meeting (20-24 November 2017). The Report deals with the main developments in the implementation of the Convention, emerging trends in trafficking in human beings, developments in legal and institutional framework, national strategy and action plans, prevention measures, measures to prevent and protect the rights of victims, etc.

Briefly, in 2013-2016, a total of 296 trafficking victims were officially identified in Serbia, the majority of them (130) were men trafficked for labour exploitation; 72 women were trafficked for sexual exploitation, and 94 children, including 78 girls, trafficked primarily for the purpose of sexual exploitation, followed by forced begging and forced marriage. Most of the identified victims were Serbian nationals.

During GRETA’s evaluation visit to Serbia that took place from 6 to 10 March 2017, Praxis took part in their meeting along with other civil society organizations and presented the present situation in relation to birth registration, statelessness and child, early and forced marriages among the Roma population in Serbia.

You can see Council of Europe’s press release here.

You can download GRETA Report here.