A new report by the Council of Europe's anti-trafficking expert body GRETA, published today, evaluates the steps taken by Denmark since 2020 to address risks of human trafficking among the most vulnerable groups, to detect and support victims, and to punish the offenders.
In the report, GRETA welcomes improvements to the legislative framework, including amendments to the Criminal Code, and the adoption of a new Children's Act and legislation strengthening the protection of migrant workers. It also welcomes the adoption of the sixth National Action Plan for combating trafficking in human beings for the period 2022-25, which is supported by increased funding.
Who is falling victim to trafficking in Denmark?
In Denmark, most of the 420 victims identified in 2020-24 were women (64%) and foreign nationals from non-EU countries, notably Nigeria and Thailand. Child victims represented less than 7% of the victims. Only 12 Danish victims were identified. The predominant form of exploitation of the victims was sexual exploitation, followed by forced labour and forced criminality.
Undocumented migrants, asylum seekers and refugees are at risk of various forms of exploitation in Denmark. Women from both EU and non-EU countries who are engaged in prostitution are at risk of sexual exploitation. Additionally, LGBTI persons, especially transgender women, are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation.
The report notes that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are especially vulnerable to trafficking while awaiting the examination of their applications. GRETA calls on the authorities to address the issue of unaccompanied children disappearing from reception facilities by providing them with a safe environment and to raise awareness among them regarding their rights and the risks of human trafficking.
Changes to the resident-permit system and other measures
Among steps to prevent trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, GRETA encourages the authorities to carry out regular and coordinated multi-agency labour inspections, take measures to license and monitor temporary employment and recruitment agencies, and promote safe reporting procedures for foreign workers.
Moreover, GRETA calls on the Danish authorities to step up efforts to identify victims of trafficking for different forms of exploitation, in particular among third-country nationals who might be staying irregularly in Denmark as a direct consequence of having been trafficked. In addition, GRETA considers that the Danish authorities should increase efforts to identify possible victims of human trafficking among Danish nationals, including by raising public awareness and providing additional training to relevant professionals
Other key recommendations made in the report concern the provision of safe and suitable accommodation for male victims of trafficking and improving access to legal assistance and free legal aid by specialised lawyers.
Vulnerable groups
The report notes that the number of investigations concerning reports of human trafficking increased in 2023-24, but the number of convictions has remained limited, due to difficulties in obtaining sufficient evidence. GRETA considers that the Danish authorities should enhance the capacity to proactively investigate and prosecute human-trafficking cases, particularly for the purpose of labour exploitation, and strengthen co-operation between law enforcement and NGOs.
GRETA pays particular attention to how offenders use information and communication technology to recruit and the use of technological innovations to prevent human trafficking, detect victims and collect evidence. GRETA welcomes the efforts made to raise awareness of the risks of technology-facilitated trafficking and to develop and use IT tools to detect indicators of human trafficking.
In the report, GRETA also evaluates progress made in areas examined during previous evaluation rounds, such as the provision of a recovery and reflection period, the issuing of residence permits and the repatriation and return of victims.
The number of victims of trafficking who have been awarded compensation remains low. Therefore, GRETA calls upon the Danish authorities to simplify the procedures for applying for compensation in court, to ensure that the compensation awarded is effectively paid, and to facilitate access to state compensation by reviewing the eligibility criteria.
The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is an independent body which monitors the way countries implement the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. All 46 member states of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention, as well as non-member states Belarus and Israel.
Denmark and the Council of Europe
