The national actions against human trafficking
There is a broad political agreement in the Danish Parliament behind the battle against human trafficking. Since 2002, Denmark’s efforts to combat human trafficking have been anchored in national action plans. The first action plan was introduced following the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (the so‑called Palermo Protocol) from 2000 as well as the EU Framework Decision of 19 July 2002 on combatting trafficking in human beings.
Most recently, a broad majority in the Danish Parliament allocated funding for the seventh action plan, “Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking 2026–2029”.
The current strategy- and action Plan sets the framework for future work in combatting human trafficking. It continues and further develops previous efforts in the area and it ensures that Denmark will continue to meet international conventions and obligations. The action plan is anchored in an interministerial working group on combatting human trafficking. The Department of Gender Equality under the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality is responsible for the working group, which also includes the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Employment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of the Interior and Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking coordinates and develops the nationwide social efforts, collects data and disseminates knowledge about human trafficking in Denmark. The centre is located within the Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing, and it reports to the Minister for Gender Equality.
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.
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.