ASTRA’s Director participated in the seventh meeting of the Council of Europe Network of specialised lawyers and NGOs providing legal assistance to victims of human trafficking, held in Strasbourg on 22–23 October 2026. This year’s meeting marks the Network’s tenth anniversary.
The meeting focused on the barriers victims of human trafficking face in exercising their rights, as well as opportunities to improve legal assistance and protection. Key topics included access to safe and appropriate accommodation, compensation and recovery of unpaid wages, and coordinated legal assistance and support in cases of labour exploitation.
Davor Derenčinović, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, answered questions from lawyers and civil society organisations concerning the Court’s case law on the rights of victims of human trafficking.
Particular attention was devoted to child protection, human trafficking in digital environments, and the situation of foreign victims in asylum and migration procedures. The programme also included exchanges with representatives of the European Court of Human Rights and a presentation of GRETA’s guidance on residence permits for victims of human trafficking.
For ASTRA, participation in the Network provides an important opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues from other European countries and strengthen cooperation in cross-border cases. These exchanges help improve legal support and advocacy to ensure that victims’ rights are effectively upheld in practice.