International recommendation

Investigations, prosecutions, sanctions and measures

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)
Theme:
Investigation, prosecution and procedural law
Populations of concern:
Victims of trafficking
Relevant THB articles:
Art. 22 – Corporate liabilitArt. 23 – Sanctions and measuresArt. 27 – Ex parte and ex officio applications
Source:
Report concerning the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by Norway third evaluation round

Recommended measures (1)

Measure
Measure types:
Institutions, practices and guidelinesResources
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

GRETA urges the Norwegian authorities to strengthen the criminal justice response to human trafficking, and in particular to:
– ensure that human trafficking offences are promptly investigated, regardless of whether a report has been filed or not, making use of all possible evidence gathered through special investigation techniques and financial investigations, and not having to rely mainly on the testimony of victims or witnesses;
– provide adequate financial and human resources to the specialised police THB units and ensure that they are utilised accordingly;
– ensure that trafficking offences are classified as such every time the circumstances of a case allow this, including cases of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, and that they lead to effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for those convicted. If a case is (re)qualified as a lesser offence, the authorities should ensure that THB victims are not deprived of access to a reflection period, legal aid, and compensation as a result, as well as that special investigative measures remain available to law enforcement;

– ensure that property used to commit THB, or which can reasonably be considered to constitute proceeds of this crime, is seized to the greatest extent possible