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Identification of victims of trafficking in human beings in international protection and forced return procedures (pdf, 366 kB) (external website)

Summary

There is a nexus between procedures for international protection, procedures for forced return and procedures specifically for victims of trafficking in human beings.

Victims of trafficking in human beings, including adult victims, minors and unaccompanied minors, may apply for international protection on grounds other than being a victim, and victims who go unidentified and have no legal right to reside in the EU may be forced to return.

Anecdotal evidence from many stakeholders, including national and international authorities, as well as the civil society, suggests that victims of trafficking in human beings can – for various reasons - pass through different stages of the international protection procedure (e.g. interview, first instance decision, Dublin procedures, appeal) without the authorities detecting that they are a victim.

These topics, as well as what happens to (potential) victims if they are identified as such and referred on, and how procedures for international protection and those for victims of trafficking in human beings are linked, is an understudied field.

The aim of the Study is thus to examine whether, and how, (potential) victims of trafficking in human beings are detected and identified in (Member) State procedures for international protection, and in forced return procedures if they have received a (final) negative decision on their application(s) for protection or have abandoned the procedure.

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