ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action has updated the Manual for Lawyers as part of the project Strengthening the Rights of Trafficked Persons in Serbia with Emphasis on Legal Support. This resource represents an important step in enhancing the legal protection of victims of trafficking (VoT) by empowering lawyers to effectively and sensitively represent them.
The Manual contains ten chapters, enriched with practical examples from both domestic and international case law, as well as rulings from the European Court of Human Rights. Each chapter also includes Tips and Attention boxes, offering practical guidance for lawyers representing victims.
Key chapters include:
- The Phenomenon of Human Trafficking: definitions, risks, and statistics;
- Victims’ Rights in Criminal Proceedings and Beyond: an overview of rights guaranteed by international and national legislation;
- Health and Psychological Consequences of Human Trafficking: the impact on victims’ health and their recovery;
- Working with Child Victims: specific challenges and protection during legal proceedings;
- Support Mechanisms for Victims in Serbia: an overview of relevant stakeholders and contacts.
The Manual is the result of ASTRA’s 25 years of direct work with victims, representing them in court, monitoring trials, and analyzing rulings related to human trafficking. It is intended for lawyers who already work with VoT as well as those who wish to specialize in this field.
The Manual is available in both Serbian and English, and can be downloaded from our website.
ASTRA invites all legal professionals and judiciary experts to use this resource to contribute to better protection of victims’ rights and to improve judicial practices in human trafficking cases.
“This project is supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe, under the joint Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey program, implemented from 2023 to 2026.”