Human trafficking: EU policy reviewed

The European Parliament has commissioned Ecorys to evaluate the Anti-Trafficking Protocol. The purpose of the evaluation is to get a comprehensive overview of the current state of implementation and functioning of the Anti-Trafficking Protocol.

As a result of this study, we conclude that progress has been made in all the areas assessed. The Anti-Trafficking Protocol has proved to be a valuable tool for the enforcement and defence of human rights and for combating criminal networks. Moreover, there has been closer cooperation between the parties involved, which can be attributed to the measures and mechanisms introduced by it. The study also describes some deficiencies in the implementation of the protocol in several EU countries, jeopardising its purpose.

Human trafficking violates fundamental rights and it threatens the dignity of victims. In recent decades, the European Union has therefore introduced a comprehensive legal and policy framework, including Directive 2011/36/EU (Anti-Trafficking Protocol), to address this serious humanitarian problem.

Based on extensive desk research analyses and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in all EU-27 Member States, the research team assessed the performance, developments and shortcomings of five dimensions of the protocol. The team conducted the research based on the overall trafficking situation in the European Union and the level of prevention of trafficking by the current legal framework. In addition, the team assessed the efficiency of the criminal justice system in which the protocol is embedded, the protection offered to victims through the Anti-Trafficking Protocol, the existing cooperation between member states and EU support in the field of human trafficking.

For more information, read the full research report (pdf).