North Macedonia: South-Eastern Europe united against child trafficking

 

5–6 December 2023, Skopje, North Macedonia, Trafficking in persons remains one of the most serious crimes and violations of human rights in the South-Eastern European region and globally. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, children constitute around a quarter of all detected victims in South-Eastern Europe. Most victims of domestic and cross-border trafficking in the Central and South-Eastern European regions are also young women or girls who have been sexually exploited. The Global Report underscores the urgent need for intensified efforts to counter human trafficking, emphasizing the vulnerable position of children as victims.

UNODC, under its Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe and in in collaboration with the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration of North Macedonia and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, convened the Regional Expert Group Meeting (REGM) to Address Trafficking on Children in South-Eastern Europe. The regional event was organized in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Over two days, police officers, prosecutors, judges, and victim support specialists from countries of origin, transit, and destination of child trafficking victims discussed ways to join forces to combat this crime in South-Eastern Europe. The event united over 70 participants from approximately 20 jurisdictions, creating a unique platform for a comprehensive exchange of perspectives on child trafficking in South-Eastern Europe. With diverse backgrounds, participants enriched discussions, fostering a truly global dialogue.

Topics discussed included the latest trafficking trends, best practices in the prevention and detection of child trafficking cases, the prosecution of perpetrators, as well as the protection, rehabilitation, and compensation of victims.

The collaborative spirit fostered in-depth discussions, creating an environment where challenges were dissected, successes shared, and innovative solutions conceived. What set the REGM apart was its interactive format, where open dialogue and active participation flourished. The REGM reinforced the collective responsibility to invest in systems protecting vulnerable children, calling for improved measures to guarantee tailored care and support for child trafficking victims, addressing their unique needs.

The objective of the meeting was to provide participants with a better understanding and capacity to deal with child trafficking victims and related criminal cases, as well as to improve regional coordination, cooperation and exchange of information.

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RESOURCES

UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons

UNODC Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe