COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER
ANALYTICAL REPORT
Accompanying the document
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL
Commission Opinion on Serbia’s application for membership of the European Union
{COM(2011) 668}
Serbia ratified the Council of Europe Conventions on action against trafficking in human beings in 2009 and on protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse in 2010. A strategy to address human trafficking was adopted in 2006 and an action plan to implement it in 2009. Law enforcement capacity in this area is generally well-developed. To coordinate activities against trafficking in human beings better, the government established a ministerial-level council and the Minister of the Interior has been appointed coordinator in this area. A Republican team, consisting of representatives of government institutions along with non-governmental and international organisations, has been in operation since 2003. However, Serbia remains a country of origin, transit and destination for trafficking in human beings. Further efforts are needed to ensure full implementation of policies in this area and a specific monitoring mechanism has not yet been set up. The strategy and associated action plan need to be updated in order to tackle current trends better and improve cooperation between law enforcement and judicial bodies. Better protection of victims, including provision of assistance or shelter and reintegration, is needed. An age- and gender-specific approach should be developed. Cooperation with and support for civil society active in this field should be improved.