Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe �

Council of Europe is the European continent’s leading Human Rights body

Founded 1949

46 member states

All have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe�

Exists to Promote

Human Rights

Democracy

Rule of Law

​

Set Standards

Monitor Compliance

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

Council of Europe

Promotes

• Democratic Citizenship
• Human Rights Education
• Youth Participation
• Supports Civil Society

​

​

​

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

Council of Europe

Protects

• Freedom of Speech
• Free Elections
• Privacy
• Personal data
• Social Rights
• National minorities
• Minority languages

​

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

Works with Member States to fight

• Violence against women
• Discrimination and Racism
• Child sex abuse
• Human trafficking
• Corruption
• Money laundering
• Cybercrime
• Terrorism
• Torture

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

• Council of Europe 2008

- Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings

• Human-Rights based and victim-centred approach
• Ratified by 46 member states
• Applies to all forms of, and all victims of trafficking
• Has a monitoring mechanism - GRETA

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

GRETA

GRoup of Experts on action against TrAfficking in Human Beings

• Independent
• 15 members
• Evaluates periodically each country and produces reports
• Produces thematic reports

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

GRETA

Thematic Reports

• Labour Exploitation
• International Protection
• On-line and technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings
• Risks of trafficking in human beings related to the war in Ukraine.

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

GRETA

Country visits

• Questionaires ( usually sent out 6 months before visit)
• Round Tables (NGOs can be invited to attend)
• Reports

Timetable 2026/27

April- June Azerbaijan, Sweden

Sept – Dec Netherlands, Iceland, Andorra, Lithuania

Jan- March Italy, Hungary, Monaco, Finland.

​

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

RENATE at the Council of Europe

​

Granted Participatory Status as an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) 2018

​

Member of the Conference of INGOs at the Council of Europe

​

Representatives

Mary McHugh

Marie-Christine Davy

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

Conference of INGOs

• Twice yearly meetings in Strasbourg of INGOs with Participatory Status (300+)
• Working groups and Thematic Committees
• Exchange amongst members
• Platform for dialogue with bodies of the COE
• Consultations

​

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

RENATE at the Council of Europe (COE)

​

• Attendance at twice yearly Conference of INGOs - Strasbourg
• Membership of committees and working groups of INGOs on

Social Rights; Migration; Sport; Gender Equality.

Liaison with departments of COE

Organised webinars on

• Exploitative Labour and
• Risks of Trafficking in the context of the war in Ukraine.
• Submissions from RENATE members in response to consultations

​

​

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

Consultations.

Often we are asked, by the Council of Europe, for information from National NGOs in preparation for visits. RENATE has a good record in responding to these request, thanks to the work of some of our task groups and also to RENATE members in different countries.

​

Responding to these consultations helps to strengthen the reputation of RENATE as an effective and expert INGO.

Human Trafficking as an issue for the Council of Europe

New Consultation

Received today 11.3.26

From – The Expert Council of NGO Law of the Conference of INGOs

New study on “Restrictions on NGOs Representing or Providing Support to National Minorities”

Inviting NGOs to share their opinion and experience by answering a short questionnaire.

Deadline 30^th April 2026

Will be sent to RENATE members. Please consider if, if in your country you are working with national minorities vulnerable to trafficking.