Trafficking in human beings is a serious problem affecting the Baltic Sea Region. It is a problem shared by countries of origin, transit and destination. Consequently, the actions taken must have a transboundary, multi-dimensional and cross-sectoral approach to be truly effective. They must address the root causes, like the demand, the social, economic, political, and gender inequalities and the poverty and lack of opportunities that make children and adults potentially vulnerable to the traffickers and the world of organised crime they inhibit. They must also address the situation of the trafficked persons, including the protection, assessment, rehabilitation and reintegration, and enhance the law enforcement and prosecution of perpetrators. Co-operation between relevant actors such as e.g. police, customs, prosecutors, the judiciary, migration, social and health authorities and concerned NGOs and IOs must be enhanced.

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At the 6^th Baltic Sea States Summit in Reykjavik on 8 June 2006, “the Heads of Government welcomed the initiative and the consideration within the CBSS to integrate the successful work of the Nordic Baltic Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings [See Final Report PDF below] into the CBSS framework, [this provides an encircled regional area by including Germany, Poland and Russia into the network] with the objective of fostering actions and enhancing co-operation to combat such trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region and its near vicinity.”[1]

Consequently, the Council of the Baltic Sea States Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings was established after a decision taken at the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials meeting, on 7-8 November 2006, in Kalmar Sweden.