Trafficking in Human Beings in Europe – A Commentary to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CoE Convention against THB) is the first legal instrument concerning trafficking in human beings (THB) that frames THB as a human rights violation. Although the CoE Convention against THB has been in force since 2008 and ratified by almost all Member States of the Council of Europe (46 out of 47 Member States), a comprehensive commentary to the Convention does not yet exist. Bearing in mind the significant importance of the Convention, this forms a remarkable gap which needs to be filled.

Research at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) concerning THB traditionally approaches the issue of THB from a human rights perspective and numerous projects have been conducted in this area since 1999. Consequently, the institute forms an excellent environment for elaborating the commentary. The LBI-GMR researchers involved in this project, have significant experience in conducting research on different matters of THB linked to human rights, including children’s rights, compensation of trafficked persons or access to justice. Further high-level academics with expertise concerning certain matters of THB will also contribute to the commentary.

Although the CoE Convention against THB clearly frames THB as a matter of human rights and formulates obligations of States Parties, the actual extent of the human rights obligation of States concerning THB is still controversial. The commentary aims to establish the first up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the Convention. It should form a guide to the Convention, provide an in-depth analysis of its provisions and thereby contribute to a better understanding of THB and human rights obligations of States Parties.