Independent National Rapporteur Mechanism on trafficking in human beings

Trafficking in human beings is a serious violation of human rights – and a sad reality for many children and adults in Germany. The “Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings” has been in force in Germany since 2013. The “Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5th April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims” Directive of 2011 also obliges Germany to combat trafficking in human beings and to protect trafficked persons.

The task of the independent National Rapporteur Mechanism on trafficking in human beings which forms part of the German Institute for Human Rights is to critically monitor the implementation of the convention and the EU directive. Using data and evidence-based monitoring as well as the observation of legislation and jurisprudence, the independent National Rapporteur Mechanism develops practice-oriented recommendations for action for politics, administration and the judiciary so that human trafficking can be prevented and combated more effectively and trafficked persons can be protected and supported in a more targeted manner. The independent National Rapporteur Mechanism works closely with civil society and promotes public discourse on trafficking in human beings. With the information and findings it publishes, it supports the federal government with regard to its reporting obligations at national and international level. The first Periodic Report on trafficking in Human Beings in Germany was published in October 2024.

• All forms of human trafficking and exploitation in Germany
• Protection and support for trafficked persons
• Trafficking in human beings and exploitation of refugees
• Trafficking in human beings and exploitation of minors
• Annual topics for the promotion of political debate and public discourse:
  • 2023: Establishment of the National Referral Mechanism for Trafficked Persons
  • 2024: Labour Exploitation
  • 2025: Trafficking in and exploitation of children and adolescents

Working methods

The independent Rapporteur Mechanism’s mandate includes monitoring the implementation of human rights obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive. Its work consists of data-driven monitoring as well as legal monitoring. The department’s data-driven monitoring focuses on the observation of the implementation of human rights requirements using the indicators developed by the independent Rapporteur Mechanism. Meanwhile, the legal monitoring focuses on the observation of the legal situation and case law in Germany and compares these with the human rights requirements. The independent Rapporteur Mechanism works with an interdisciplinary team of legal and social scientists and a data analyst, and in close cooperation with partners from ministries, civil society, academic research and experts. It is worth noting that the independent Rapporteur Mechanism monitors the implementation of the Convention and the EU Directive in Germany and not in other countries.

Since November 2023, the work of the independent National Rapporteur Mechanism on Trafficking in human beings has had an interdisciplinary advisory board to support and advise on its activities.