Back Lawyers in Serbia boost efforts to combat human trafficking through specialised HELP training

Belgrade 17 December 2024
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Lawyers in Serbia boost efforts to combat human trafficking through specialised HELP training

Twenty lawyers from Serbia have successfully completed the Council of Europe’s HELP course on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. The certification ceremony, held at the premises of the Council of Europe in Belgrade, marked the culmination of over two months of intensive training designed to enhance the legal community’s capacity to tackle human trafficking.

The course was launched in cooperation with the Bar Association of Serbia in the framework of the Joint EU/CoE Programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” and its action “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia”. Guided by certified HELP tutors and subject-matter experts, 27 lawyers embarked on the course, with 20 successfully meeting the certification criteria.

The training provided participants with in-depth knowledge of key Council of Europe, EU and international legal instruments related to combating human trafficking. Using the HELP methodology, the course was tailored to the learning needs of legal and other professionals engaged in combating trafficking in human beings.

During the event, participants expressed their gratitude for the comprehensive course, practical and applicable knowledge they gained and highlighted importance of the shared materials. They’ve also praised extensive knowledge and experience of tutors who supported them during the learning process.

The course was initially developed in 2017. It was updated in 2024 under the Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) Programme of the Council of Europe, by using the HELP Methodology, in close cooperation with the CoE Anti-Trafficking Division.

Horizontal Facility III

The joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III) is a co-operation initiative, running from 2023 until 2026.

The programme covers actions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. It enables the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.

The third phase of the programme is worth €41 million (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

*Оваа ознака не ги прејудицира ставовите за статусот и истата е во согласност со Резолуцијата на ОНСБ 1244 и Мислењето на МСП за Декларацијата за независност на Косово.