Research on the prevention of child trafficking for labour exploitation, begging and forced marriage in North Macedonia reveals factual situation and trends

According to the Third Evaluation Report of 2023 on North Macedonia of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the majority of victims of trafficking in human beings are children. While most trafficked children were victims of sexual exploitation, child trafficking for labour exploitation, forced marriage and begging is increasing and remains underreported in North Macedonia. In this context, the Study on the prevention of child trafficking for the purposes of labour exploitation, begging and forced marriages in North Macedonia supported by joint action between the EU and the Council of Europe “Strengthening the fight against human trafficking in North Macedonia“responds to the need to establish findings on the factual situation and trends regarding child trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, begging and forced marriage over the past five years.

Based on a specific methodology, which includes surveys with anti-trafficking stakeholders from the institutions and the NGO sector, as well as multi-sectoral focus groups and discussions with experts, the study identifies upward trends, particularly with regard to child trafficking for begging. In this context, North Macedonia is no exception to the sad images of young children forced to beg on the streets and at border crossings, by their parents or organised gangs. The study identifies the risks for children exploited for labour purposes, taking into account the new trends and recruitment methods in labour trafficking chains. The number of forced marriages is also increasing, with ethnic Roma girls being the most common victims of this type of exploitation.

Research says that local stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking face multiple challenges in preventing child trafficking for these three types of exploitation. According to the research, inadequate implementation of national legislation and European standards in this area, impunity of traffickers, poor education of parents about the risks of child trafficking, limited resources to prevent child trafficking for labour exploitation, begging and forced marriages are barriers to effective prevention of these types of child trafficking.

The study concludes that coordinated preventive actions by police and social workers are needed, while raising public awareness and implementing educational programmes for parents and children. Furthermore, consistent monitoring of risks and provision of adequate responses to child trafficking by relevant institutions, together with improved capacities of prosecutors and other stakeholders to recognise child trafficking for different forms of exploitation, will contribute to efforts to prevent and combat child trafficking. This also requires proportionate penalties for child traffickers and legislative changes to combat child trafficking for labour exploitation, begging and forced marriage, in line with European standards and Council of Europe recommendations.

The action “Strengthening the fight against human trafficking in North Macedonia”supports government authorities in their efforts to prevent and combat child trafficking by providing capacity building activities to stakeholders in the fight against trafficking in human beings, supporting research and reporting on the subject and working with other beneficiaries to improve access to legal aid for child victims. The action is part of the European Union/Council of Europe cooperation initiative”Horizontal Facility III for the Western Balkans and Turkey“.