“Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation is a serious human rights violation and criminal offence. The National Commission for the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration is putting efforts into furthering the detection and identification of victims of this crime in order to ensure that trafficking victims receive the appropriate assistance and support provided under the National Referral Mechanism” – said the National Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration, Ms Magdalena Nestorovska, at the press conference organized to mark the 11^th European Anti-Trafficking Day.

In collaboration with international organisations, local NGOs and private companies, the National Commission for the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Migration is implementing a number of events on the occasion of the European Anti-Trafficking Day to highlight the importance of preventing and combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation. The Council of Europe is supporting the National Commission’s activities through the programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” to raise public awareness about human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.

“Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” is a joint initiative of the European Union and Council of Europe which seeks to support the beneficiaries in South-East Europe to comply with Council of Europe standards and European Union acquis in the framework of the enlargement process.