The Second Regional Mock Trial: Combating Human Trafficking Across Borders

6 - 8 February 2024, Belgrade, Serbia: Mock trials assist judges, prosecutors, investigators, and other professionals involved in combating trafficking in better understanding the specificities of investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating trafficking cases, which can be challenging to identify due to their diverse forms and parameters.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (UNODC HTMSS) in collaboration with the Judicial Academy of Republic of Serbia and Ministry of Interior of Republic of Serbia organized the second regional mock trial on human trafficking cases.

 

Using the "learning by doing" approach, professionals from five project countries: Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, participated in a mock trial held in Belgrade, with support from Belgium and France as mentor countries.

Focused on combating impunity for perpetrators of human trafficking and advocating for justice for victims, this event was the last regional in-person activity within the scope of the project: "UN.Locking Impunity of Traffickers and Supporting Justice for Victims of Trafficking in Persons in Southeastern Europe." This project, led by UNODC HTMSS is funded by the United States Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

The mock trial concluded with a debriefing session and intense exchanges, highlighting the imperative need for participants to get to know each other in order to enhance successful cross-border investigations, prosecutions and convictions in trafficking cases as well as to improve the standing and rights of victims in criminal proceedings involving transnational elements.

This activity contributes to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.2 to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets