“When it comes to trafficking in human beings, each small action can make a big difference”, concluded Van Hauwermeiren during the online lecture for law students presented within the ongoing HELP (Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals) course on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings on 8 June 2020.

Peter Van Hauwermeiren, director of the Belgian Anti-Trafficking Unit within the National Social Security Office, set out the Belgian experience in the fight against trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation. He also described cases and good practice examples based on his professional experience.

During his presentation, Van Hauwermeiren highlighted that trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation is no small matter, and that everyone should fight to ensure that people are not exploited and are not obliged to live in conditions which are contrary to human dignity.

Students discussed the steps that can be taken to act more responsibly as consumers and citizens, to prevent trafficking in human beings.  

The online HELP course organised within the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey II - "Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia", implemented by the Council of Europe, with the support of the Council of Europe HELP (Human rights education for legal professionals) Unit, started for the first group of 40 law students on 21 April and the course will continue until 15 June 2020.