In its new report published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking expert group (GRETA) assesses developments in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” since the publication of the first report in June 2014 and outlines areas for further action.
GRETA welcomes the evolution of the legislative, policy and institutional framework, the training provided to an expanded range of professionals and the research carried out on different aspects of trafficking in human beings. Among other positive developments the report highlights the practical application of the criminalisation of the use of services of a victim of trafficking, with four convictions in 2014.
The statistical data shows that 33 victims of human trafficking were formally identified from 2013 to 2016, 21 of whom were children. GRETA notes with concern that the number of formally identified victims of trafficking has diminished over the years, largely due to the decreased financial and human resources as a result of the migration crisis. The challenges created by the sharp increase in the number of refugees and migrants, with up to 5,000 new arrivals per day in 2015-2016, shifted resources away from state bodies and NGOs dealing with combatting human trafficking. GRETA urges the national authorities to pay increased attention to detecting potential victims of trafficking among migrants and asylum seekers and to proactively identify victims of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.
The report also highlights the need for additional measures to reduce the vulnerability of persons belonging to Roma communities, in particular women and children, to human trafficking. GRETA urges the national authorities to further improve the identification of child victims of trafficking by taking a proactive approach and increasing their outreach work, paying particular attention to children in street situations, Roma children and unaccompanied children.
GRETA also calls on the authorities to improve the assistance to adult victims of trafficking, by insuring that adequate financial and human resources are provided for the purpose and that male victims of trafficking have access to safe accommodation and other services they are entitled to.
Noting that no victims of trafficking have received compensation, GRETA urges the national authorities to facilitate and guarantee access to compensation for victims of trafficking, including by systematically informing them of the right to seek compensation and by setting up a State compensation scheme accessible to victims of trafficking.
GRETA notes with concern that the number of convictions is low and urges the authorities to ensure proactive investigation, successful prosecution and effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions. Securing adequate funding and sufficient staff for the investigative work is instrumental here.
