Partnership and cooperation
A large number of relevant public authorities and agencies are involved in combating human trafficking in Denmark, such as the police, The Prosecution Service, The Danish Immigration Service and The Danish Tax Agency. NGOs are also important partners in the efforts to combat trafficking in Denmark. Likewise, relevant and important local stakeholders are involved through a National Referral Mechanism.
The National Referral Mechanism is comprised of six regional reference groups throughout Denmark that refer to a national reference group. The groups involve principal national counter trafficking actors. This approach aims to ensure that stakeholders at the local level are informed as well as involved in countering trafficking in Denmark.
The National Action Plan
There is a broad political agreement in the Danish Parliament behind the battle against human trafficking. Since 2002, National Action Plans to Combat Human Trafficking has been in place, following the United Nations protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in human beings (Palermo Protocol) from 2000 and the Council of the European Union Framework Decision of 19 July 2002 on combating trafficking in human beings.
Denmark supports international and regional organisations in combating and preventing trafficking, through bilateral funding contributions and through active participation in relevant forums such as the UN, ILO, EU, Council of Europe, Nordic Council of Ministers and the OSCE. Denmark is thereby taking an active role in keeping human trafficking on the international agenda. The country remains a strong advocate in the efforts to combat trafficking as well as in continuously improving the knowledge-sharing and cross-border collaborations.
International conventions and agreements
Denmark has ratified a number of international conventions and agreements:
The Palermo Protocol. Denmark has signed and ratified the UN convention against Transnational Organized Crime of 15 November 2000 and the protocols, including the Palermo Protocol, which concerns preventing suppressing and punishing trafficking in persons, especially women and children.Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings . Denmark ratified the Council of Europe Convention of 16 May 2005, on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 19 September 2007. The Convention focuses on protecting victims and combating human trafficking.International Labour Organization conventions . Denmark has ratified a number of ILO conventions, including the Forced Labour Convention (29), Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (C105) and Worst Forms Of Child Labour Convention (182). On 14 July 2017, Denmark ratified the 2014 ILO Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings . The European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive no. 2011/36/EU of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. The Directive lays down rules on offences and penalties as well as on assistance and protection of victims of trafficking in human beings. The Directive falls under Denmark’s opt-out on justice and home affairs and therefore does not apply in Denmark. However with Act no. 275 of 27 March 2012 on the amendment of the Criminal Code Danish criminal legislation has been brought into line with the Directive.The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child convention , which also contain obligations to prevent abduction, sale or trafficking in women and children.