International recommendation

Legal assistance and free legal aid

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)
Theme:
Protection, support and compensation
Populations of concern:
Victims of trafficking
Relevant THB article:
Art. 15 – Compensation
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 type:
Institutions, practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

GRETA considers that the Norwegian authorities should take further steps to ensure trafficking victims’ access to legal assistance and free legal aid, in particular:
– a lawyer should be appointed as soon as there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person is a victim of human trafficking, including in the case of asylum seekers and persons placed in detention prior to deportation, before the persons concerned have to decide whether to file a criminal report;
– initial legal assistance should be provided to a sufficient extent and by a lawyer with experience in THB cases;
– the Bar Association should be encouraged to offer training and specialisation of lawyers to provide legal aid to trafficking victims;
– trafficking victims should be systematically appointed a specialised lawyer