Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings elected the Chairman of the Criminal Cases Division of the Supreme Court of Lithuania and a Professor of Criminal Justice at Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of Law Aurelijus Gutauskas to be a member of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA). This is the first time a representative from Lithuania will be a part of the above-mentioned expert group. 26 candidates from 18 countries participated in the competition, organized by the Council of Europe\. During the competition, 8 experts of the highest competence were selected, including Judge Aurelijus Gutauskas. The term of office of all newly elected GRETA experts will be 4 years.
“Last year Lithuania was recognised by GRETA as having made progress in implementing the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Nevertheless, many challenges remain regarding the investigation of human trafficking as a criminal offense, the prosecution of traffickers, the prevention of this social phenomenon, and the protection of victims,” sais A. Gutauskas. “In this group of experts, I will seek to properly represent Lithuania’s position in the fight against trafficking in human beings, share knowledge and practical experience in monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings,” the elected GRETA member notes.“
The Anti-Trafficking Expert Group was set up in 2009. It monitors the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.