13.06.2023

With the joint organization of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the next meeting of the National Coordinators, National Rapporteurs, and equivalent persons from member states on combating human trafficking was held on June 6-7, 2023, in Strasbourg, France. The purpose of the meeting was to foster relationships and exchange experiences among these officials from participating states.
First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and National Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking, Police Lieutenant General Seyfulla Azimov participated in the hybrid format meeting held online on the "KUDO" platform. Accompanying the National Coordinator were Ramil Kazimov and Samir Garayev, heads of divisions of the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Participants included Petya Nesterova, head of the Sector for Combating Human Trafficking of the Council of Europe, and the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, alongside representatives from member states. Andrea Salvoni, the OSCE's Executive Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking, and Helga Gayer, President of GRETA, also participated.
During the first session on June 6, discussions focused on legislation and country experiences related to human trafficking involving coercion into criminal activities. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan's legislation on combating human trafficking holds perpetrators accountable not only for trafficking itself but also for coercing victims into committing other illegal acts.
The event also included discussions on the roles and responsibilities of the National Coordinator, National Rapporteurs, and equivalent mechanisms. Working groups were provided detailed insights into Azerbaijan's National Coordinator Institute, Interdepartmental Commission, Working Group, and specialized police agencies dedicated to combating human trafficking.
On June 7, the first session covered the identification and assistance of foreign victims of human trafficking. Participants were briefed on Azerbaijan's procedures for identifying trafficking victims among illegal migrants.
During the second session later that day, participating states delivered presentations on conducting financial investigations into human trafficking crimes.
The meeting was conducted in a collaborative and professional environment.