Within a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), the German Institute for Human Rights (DIMR: Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte) has been developing a concept for one (or two) National Rapporteur Mechanism(s) to report on trafficking in human beings and on gender-based violence. For this purpose, the DIMR has been engaging in discussions with the relevant federal ministries since January 2020 and interviewing the relevant departments in the Federal States (Länder), as well as civil society counselling services and lawyers active in these areas. This exchange has focused on how best to define the roles and activities of the National Rapporteur Mechanism(s), and identifying possible communication formats and work formats, opportunities for cooperation and substantive focal areas for these activities.
This paper outlines the core elements, roles and activities envisaged for a National Rapporteur Mechanism of this kind. As one of the outcomes of the project for the BMFSFJ, it is based both on the conversations mentioned above and the expertise of the DIMR. It is intended to serve as a source of information and guidance for the dialogue and processes for establishing a National Rapporteur Mechanism on trafficking in human beings going forward.
