The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) today published its evaluation report on Cyprus to be followed shortly by reports on Austria (on 15 September) and Slovakia (19 September). These three reports constitute the first concrete results of the work of GRETA, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The Convention, which entered into force in 2008 is already applicable in 34 countries in Europe. It is open for accession by non-member States.
“The publication of these reports gives me an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Council of Europe to assist governments in eradicating trafficking in human beings”, said the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. “Every day, across Europe, men, women and children are being traded as a commodity for the purpose of exploitation. With the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, governments have at their disposal a comprehensive tool to fight this modern form of slavery”, he added.
