The European Migration Network (EMN) has published a new study examining how EMN Member and Observer Countries are addressing the international aspects of trafficking in human beings. Titled ‘Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension’, the study provides an overview of policies and measures that were in place between 2021 and 2023 and aligned with the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021-2025. It covers prevention, law enforcement, victim support, and international partnerships and highlights key challenges, good practices, and ongoing discussions to reinforce future policies.
Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. It involves recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or control of individuals through coercion, deception, abuse of vulnerability, or financial inducements for the purpose of exploitation. While many victims within the EU are EU citizens, in 2022 over 60% of detected victims were third-country nationals. To address the international dimension of trafficking and ensure coordinated approach, the EU prioritised the issue under its above-mentioned 2021–2025 Strategy, amended the Directive in 2024 to strengthen investigation tools and victim support, and empowered the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator.
To tackle the international dimension of trafficking in human beings, EMN Member and Observer Countries have introduced a range of measures covering crime prevention, victim protection, and support to law enforcement and prosecution. Most countries incorporate the international dimension aspect into broader national anti-trafficking strategies. Most of the national measures specifically targeting third-country nationals are implemented by international organisations (primarily IOM), NGOs and civil society actors, often funded through a combination of national and EU sources.
The EU supports EMN Member and Observer Countries through funding, coordination and information exchange, including via EMPACT. Eleven countries reported active involvement in EU agency-led initiatives, such as those by EUROPOL, Frontex and EUROJUST, in non-EU countries. The EU also managed and/or funded development cooperation programmes in non-EU countries, in line with the EU Strategy on combating trafficking in human beings, focused on law enforcement, judicial capacity, digital and financial aspects of trafficking, and victim support. Several EU programmes also target migrant smuggling; an issue frequently connected to trafficking in human beings.
EMN Member and Observer Countries highlighted a range of good practices to address the international dimension of trafficking in human beings. These include awareness-raising in countries of origin, cooperation with civil society, deployment of liaison officers, and capacity building for local authorities. Countries also reported working with international organisations (including UNODC, OSCE, ICMPD, and IOM) and establishing various forms of cooperation with non-EU countries to support prevention, victim identification, and law enforcement efforts.
Nevertheless, several challenges remain. These include difficulties in the areas of prevention and demand reduction, law enforcement and judicial response, victim identification and support, and international cooperation. Cultural differences and low trust levels with third countries were reported as a challenge by several EMN countries. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated vulnerabilities and pushed trafficking activities further online, making detection and intervention more difficult.
Looking ahead, EMN Member and Observer Countries see a need to strengthen victim identification and protection, including through financial investigations, digital monitoring and labour exploitation responses. Countries are also exploring ways to strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries and build the capacity of relevant authorities. Many are currently reviewing or updating national anti-trafficking strategies to better address these priorities.
The full synthesis study ‘Trafficking in human beings – the international dimension’, including National study of the SR (in questionnaire format), inform and flash available in the Publications section of the EMN website.