Advancing action against human trafficking in Mediterranean region aim of OSCE symposium

How to deliver faster, more effective support for vulnerable migrants and trafficking victims across the Mediterranean Sea was a key goal today at the OSCE Symposium on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in the Mediterranean Region. The event, held at the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, brought together government officials, anti-trafficking practitionersanti-trafficking practitioners
Anti-trafficking practitioners include a broad range of professionals such as law enforcement personnel, public prosecutors, migration officers or asylum authorities, lawyers, labour inspectors, social welfare practitioners, NGOs, and journalists., and international organizations to accelerate cross-border rescue and prosecution efforts.

“Each of your countries holds an essential part of the overall anti-human trafficking response. Each brings unique experiences, tools, and networks. No single authority or country can confront this crime alone. The added value of a Mediterranean approach lies in combining national perspectives, expertise, and networks,” said Jean-Benoit Manhes, OSCE Deputy Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, emphasizing the symposium's focus on unified action to protect all vulnerable populations.

The symposium gathered representatives from Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia, which are all OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, along with Italy, Greece, Malta, and Spain, which are OSCE participating States, alongside international organizations such as International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). 

Building on the 2024 Mediterranean simulation-based exercise on combating trafficking in human beings, the event focused on practical collaboration to enhance the speed and effectiveness of protection for all trafficking victims across the region, with a special focus on faster cross-border rescue and prosecution efforts.

Panels examined lessons learned from simulation exercises, emerging regional trafficking trends, and proven national best practices. Speakers addressed the exploitation of migrant workers, forced labour, sexual exploitation, and online recruitment, emphasizing that every vulnerable group should receive equal protection and support.

Participants left the symposium with reinforced knowledge, actionable lessons, and strengthened networks that can help to enhance prevention, protection, and prosecution of trafficking in human beings throughout the Mediterranean region.

The event was organized under the OSCE Extra-Budgetary Project, “Combating trafficking in human beings: sustaining multi-agency collaboration through national simulation-based training exercises.” The CoESPU and the Arma dei Carabinieri hosted the event and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the OSCE and the Department for Equal Opportunities of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers supported the event.