Revision of the National Referral Mechanism Agreement for Human Trafficking Prevention (AL0095)

Brief description of the commitment

Improving the institutional framework within the framework of increasing the effectiveness of the fight against human trafficking, ensuring the implementation of the Standard Operationg Procedures for the Protection of Victims and Potential Victims of Trafficking (approved by DCM no. 499, dated 29.08.2018), as well as the creation of a cooperation mechanism through which state institutions cooperate with civil society, organizations and other partners in the field of the fight against human trafficking

Problem Definition

1.What problem does the commitment aim to address? The agreement will increase the cooperation between public institutions and civil society organizations that are parties to this agreement, also will increase identification, referral, protection, individual support, social and economic support and criminal justice for victims and potential victims of trafficking in Albania.

2.What are thes causes of the problem? The cooperation agreement for the operation of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for the protection of victims and potential victims of trafficking constitutes the basic inter-institutional agreement between state and non-state structures for the identification, referral and protection of victims of trafficking. Since 2012, the year in which the Agreement was signed, important results have been achieved, which have had a positive impact not only on the increase of inter-institutional cooperation, but also on the protection of the victim. However, besides positive achievements, problems related to its effective implementation have also been identified. o The agreement provides as its annex DCM no. 582, dated 27.7.2011, decision which was repealed by DCM no. 499, dated 29.8.2018 "On the approval of Standard Operation Procedures for the protection of victims and potential victims of trafficking"; o Membership of several important institutions for the protection and reintegration of victims and potential victims of trafficking; o The absence of the NRM advisory board, as an important factor for monitoring its implementation; o Issues not addressed in the current agreement and, specifically: monitoring and accountability of the NRM

Commitment Description

3.What has been done so far to solve the problem? - Although the current agreement has its annex, DCM no. 582, dated 27.7.2011, which was repealed, after the approval of DCM no. 499, dated 29.8.2018 "On the adoption of Standard Operation Procedures for the protection of victims and potential victims of trafficking", the commitments of the signature parties of the NRM regarding the identification, referral, protection and assistance of victims and potential victims are addressed pursuant to DCM no. 499, dated 29.8.2018 "On the approval of Standard Operation procedures for the protection of victims and potential victims of trafficking". - Important anti-trafficking partners have been invited to the NRM meetings, such as: OSCE, UNICEF, American Embassy, UK Embassy, etc.

4.What solution are you propozing? By revising the NRM Agreement, the identified problems will be addressed and the role and commitment of actors operating in the field of the fight against human trafficking will be expanded, including structures engaged in the identification, referral and assistance of cases or in national coordination of assistance management in cases of human trafficking, such as: MoJ, State Agency for Children's Rights and Protection, MoFE/State Inspectorate of Labor and Social Services, etc.

5.What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment? The agreement will improve the coordination of efforts, of structures and mechanisms in the protection of victims of trafficking, the prevention and fight against trafficking in human beings, will determine the modalities of action and what should be done to prevent and fight the phenomenon, defining the concrete actions that the authorities must do as the initial or formal identification, institutional coordination, education, training, information, concrete engagements of police officers, law enforcement structures, local self-government units, labor inspectors, social care workers, health workers, consular offices, etc. The revision of the agreement will also reflect the new guidance issued by the OSCE/ODIHR that has guided the creation of National Referral Mechanisms in many countries, will reflect the restructuring of the institutions/ministries included in the current agreement, the lews and by-laws adopted during this decade, and will ensure the improvement of issues not addressed in the current agreement.

Activities/Milestones | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date

Activities within the Month of the Fight against Human Trafficking | Meetings/Activities | S II 2023- S I 2025

Awareness meetings with vulnerable groups regarding human trafficking and the protection of victims and potential victims of trafficking | Meetings/Activities | S II 2023- S I 2025

Information sessions/discussion forums/open hours with pupils and students on the topic "On the prevention and consequences of human trafficking in our lives" and "Unsafe migration & the risk of trafficking"; knowledge of the protection system against human trafficking and unsafe migration, in rural and urban areas | Meetings/Activities | S II 2023- S I 2025

Finalization of the Agreement for the operation of the National Referral Mechanism for victims and potential victims of trafficking | The signature of the NRM by the members | S II 2023- S I 2025

Action Plan Review

Commitment 22. Review the National Referral Mechanism