Declaration of the Committee of Ministers on Council of Europe action to improve the protection of human rights defenders and promote their activities

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 6 February 2008 at the 1017th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,
Noting the commitment made by Heads of State and Government meeting at their Third Summit in Warsaw 2005 that the Council of Europe “shall – through its various mechanisms and institutions – play a dynamic role in protecting the right of individuals and promoting the invaluable engagement of non-governmental organisations, to actively defend human rights”;

The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings enters into force on 1 February 2008

The Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS n° 197) enters into force on 1 February 2008. The Convention aims to prevent trafficking, protect the human rights of victims and prosecute traffickers. It applies to all victims of trafficking: women, men and children alike; to all forms of exploitation (sexual exploitation, forced labour, servitude, removal of organs etc.) and it covers all forms of trafficking: national and transnational, related or not to organised crime.