The international dimension of human trafficking implies constant co-operation between States and other actors concerned both at global and regional level. Almost all States are affected by this phenomenon, as a country of origin, transit or destination of victims, and the Southern Mediterranean region is no exception.

Sharing experiences, good practices and the state of progress of reforms, as well as finding common solutions to combat the phenomenon in the region: these were the objectives of the first seminar on regional action against trafficking in human beings in the Southern Mediterranean organised in the framework of the South Programme IV[1]. This event was held online on 26 November 2020 in the presence of representatives of authorities in charge of fighting against trafficking in human beings from Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon and Jordan and civil society.

The event made it possible to identify the convergences and common challenges facing all the countries of the region. It was also an opportunity to present concrete and practical tools for regional co-operation, such as the development of a common anti-trafficking strategy, the setting-up of a Southern Mediterranean anti-trafficking platform, data exchanges or even the organisation of multisectoral training sessions aimed at building capacities of involved actors.

The Council of Europe remains at the disposal of the beneficiaries of the South Programme IV to help implement the identified areas of regional cooperation. It should be recalled that the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings is open to accession by non-member States of the Organisation. In addition, the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) Programme of the Council of Europe is now extended to the Southern Mediterranean and provides an online course on combating trafficking in human being also available in Arabic.

 

 Link to the programme of the event

 Link to the HELP online platform