The Council of Europe (CoE) has called for enhanced measures to combat child trafficking in light of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, held in Strasbourg, France on Tuesday. This initiative was led by the council’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) and aligns with the collective efforts of the UN-mandated Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Human Beings (ICAT).
According to ICAT’s statement, approximately one in three identified trafficking victims is a child, with over half trafficked within their own countries. The contributing factors to this vulnerability include poverty, lack of education, discrimination, gender inequality, armed conflict, displacement, and statelessness. These trafficking victims face forced labor, sexual exploitation, criminal involvement, illegal adoption, and in some instances, recruitment into armed groups.
In its 2023 Call for Accelerated Action by 2025 to Prevent and End Child Trafficking, ICAT outlined ten critical actions for states to prevent and stop child trafficking, including the implementation of protective systems, deterrence of traffickers, online child safety measures, and addressing socio-economic risk factors.
GRETA President Helga Gayer emphasized that the call to action complements the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Gayer noted the necessity for states to meet their legal obligations, enhance cooperative efforts, and adopt victim identification processes that prioritize the rights of children.
The Council of Europe, established in 1949 with 46 member states, is a leading European human rights organization. It focuses on promoting human rights and the rule of law, particularly through instruments such as the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings which has been in force since 2008. The Council has developed approximately 200 binding treaties to protect individuals from a range of abuses, including violence, sexual abuse, racism, and human trafficking.
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