The project “Supporting Malta in the design and implementation of a new national Anti-Trafficking Strategy” allowed the strategy to be born. Experts, NGOs and various stakeholders coming from different EU member countries gathered in San Julian in January 2025 for the project's final conference.
Insights about the strategy were shared with the public. In particular, the conference’s attendees learned about the four working groups that worked to determine the strategy’s trajectory:
- The first group on Anti-Trafficking Supporting Framework,
- The second group on Prevention and Protection,
- The third group on Prosecution and Investigations,
- The last one on International Partnerships.
Human trafficking is a huge problem that needs a concrete strategy. “Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit” according to the United Nation. Men, women and even children from all over the world may be affected by this criminal act that violates fundamental rights. Most victims (77%) are victims of labour exploitation followed by sexual exploitation. In order to combat this problem that transcends all borders, Malta has created its first National Strategy.
Despite the existence of a legal framework dedicated to combat human trafficking in the island; the Criminal Code, the Police Act or the Minor Protection Act for Children, the lack of data and research make it difficult to fight against this scourge. Indeed, many "survivors" do not go to the police to testify but are more likely to turn to NGOs.
The goal of the strategy is to create a common reference with clear objectives and to mobilise institutional and societal efforts to solve the problem of human trafficking.
The strategy was based on the conclusions of EU experts working on human trafficking (GRETA), and also on the strategy and Action Plan established by the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in person. All these actions were always in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, as well as the annual US Department of State Trafficking in Persons reports on Malta.
The strategy contains five main areas :
Strengthening the supporting anti-trafficking framework.
Ensuring targeted prevention and early identification of potential victims and persons at risk.
Increasing reporting by victims, effective investigation and prosecution of traffickers.
A comprehensive victim protection, justice and remedies.
Finally, strategic partnerships at regional and international levels to tackle human trafficking.
The Maltese government will need to implement the strategy. Civil society will have to play a role in monitoring and evaluation. An interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approach is needed as well as a gender-specific approach and the cooperation between NGOs and government.
To implement the strategy, tools are necessary: - The theory of change serves to unify the strategy. - The monitoring and evaluation framework serves to monitor activities and evaluate results. - The implementation guidelines maximize the potential of the strategy and establish common principles. - A communication strategy and action plan clarify roles and responsibilities and inform people about human trafficking.
To access the strategy document, click on the following link :
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