News

Europol and Frontex Sign New Working Arrangement

14 September 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 2/2026

On 16 July 2026, Europol and Frontex signed a new Working Arrangement, reinforcing cooperation between the two agencies in tackling migrant smuggling, human trafficking, terrorism, and other cross-border crime. Read more

EU Europol Frontex Organised Crime Terrorism Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

Europol Launches European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling

5 May 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2026

On 24 March 2026, Europol launched the European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) as part of the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. The centre is intended to consolidate and strengthen existing Europol capabilities, leading to a more integrated, operationally focused structure … Read more

EU Europol Organised Crime Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

New Amending Europol Regulation In Force

18 March 2026

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2025

On 22 December 2025, a new Regulation amending Europol's mandate was published in the EU's Official Journal. The Regulation strengthens Europol's support and enhances police cooperation in preventing and combatting migrant smuggling and human trafficking. Read more

EU Europol Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation Police Cooperation

THB and Labour Exploitation: Key Study Findings

15 January 2026 (updated 5 months, 1 week ago)

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 4/2025

In December 2025, the EU Anti-Trafficking Hub published a new study examining trafficking in human beings (THB) for the purpose of labour exploitation, drawing on examples from five EU countries. The study analyses how THB for labour exploitation is addressed across national systems, highlighting the complexity of existing legal frameworks and the persistent challenges in distinguishing trafficking from other forms of labour exploitation. Read more

EU Illegal Employment Trafficking in Human Beings Victim Protection

Joint Declaration on Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

12 January 2026

Thomas Wahl in Issue 4/2025

On 10 December 2025, delegations from EU Member States and partner countries, as well as international organisations approved a Joint Declaration reaffirming their commitment to strengthen international cooperation against migrant smuggling. The Declaration sets out joint ways to tackle illegal migration and THB alongside three main pillars. Read more

EU Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

Agreement on New Europol Mandate to Combat Migrant Smuggling and THB

15 October 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 3/2025

On 25 September 2025, the Danish Council Presidency and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on legislation to strengthen Europol’s mandate with regard to preventing, detecting, and investigating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings (THB). Read more

EU Europol Organised Crime Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

15 Years of Monitoring Human Trafficking: GRETA’s 2024 General Report

8 July 2025

Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 2/2025

In June 2025, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published its latest general report. This report covers developments in 2024 and marks 15 years of sustained efforts to combat human trafficking in Europe and beyond. Read more

Council of Europe Trafficking in Human Beings

Ombudsman Inquires Commission's Failure to Carry Out Impact Assessment for Anti-Smuggling Package

30 June 2025

Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2025

Following a complaint by civil society organisations, European Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho opened an inquiry into the Commission's decision not to carry out an impact assessment on two legislative proposals to combat migrant smuggling. Read more

EU Legislation Trafficking in Human Beings

Lawyers Call for Changes to Anti-Smuggling Directive

13 May 2025

Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2025

In a joint letter, lawyers called on EU legislators to adopt a narrow definition of the offence of "smuggling" in line with international standards and to include a mandatory and broad humanitarian exemption clause in the anti-smuggling Directive that is currently under negotiations. Read more

EU Trafficking in Human Beings

Negative Impact Assessment for Anti-Smuggling Directive by EP Research Service

13 March 2025

Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2025

On 5 March 2025, the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) negatively evaluated the Commission proposal for a revised directive laying down minimum rules to prevent and counter the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the Union ("Facilitation Directive"). Read more

EU Trafficking in Human Beings

5th Progress Report on Fight Against THB

11 February 2025

Cornelia Riehle LL.M. in Issue 1/2025

On 20 January 2025, the Commission published the fifth report on the progress made in the EU in combating Trafficking in Human Beings. It identifies key trends and main anti-trafficking actions from 2021 to 2024 and provides an analysis of statistics for the period 2021-2022. Read more

EU Commission Trafficking in Human Beings

New Directive to Strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking

1 October 2024

Dr. Anna Pingen /

Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2024

On 24 June 2024, a new Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims was published in the Official Journal. The Directive considerably amends and modifies the 2011 anti-trafficking Directive. Read more

EU Legislation Trafficking in Human Beings

EDPS Raises Concerns Over Planned Police Cooperation in Migrant Smuggling

1 May 2024

Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 2/2024

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published an Opinion on the proposed Regulation to enhance police cooperation to prevent, detect, and investigate the smuggling of migrants and the trafficking of human beings, and to reinforce the role of the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation … Read more

European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Trafficking in Human Beings Police Cooperation Data Protection

Commission Presents Package to Prevent and Fight Migrant Smuggling

12 December 2023 (updated 1 year, 10 months ago)

Dr. Anna Pingen /

Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2023

On 28 November 2023, the Commission presented a bundle of measures to reinforce the prevention and fight against migrant smuggling. A new Directive will replace the current legal framework on the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the EU. A new Regulation is designed to strengthen police cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling with a central, more important role of Europol. Read more

EU Organised Crime Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

Joint Action Days Against Cross-Border Crime

28 July 2023

Cornelia Riehle LL.M.

A weeklong operation took place at the end of June 2023, involving 12 EU and EU-associated countries in Central and South-Eastern Europe, Frontex, Eurojust, Europol and INTERPOL. The international operation led to the arrests of 108 people smugglers. It was conducted by Frontex standing corps … Read more

EU Frontex Organised Crime Trafficking in Human Beings Law Enforcement Cooperation

Hit Against Chinese Human Trafficking

22 February 2023