Building on the 2023 Nigeria–Europe NGO Conference on the Protection and Assistance of Trafficked Victims, the Siracusa International Institute is partnering once again with UNODC, under the EU-funded Support to Migration Governance in Nigeria (Component 3), for the Nigeria–Europe NGO Conference on the Non-Punishment Principle for Victims of Human Trafficking and Vulnerable Migrants.
The 2023 Nigeria–Europe NGO Conference on the Protection and Assistance of Trafficked Victims created an important space for Nigerian and European civil society organisations to engage, compare protection standards, and adopt joint protocols to enhance support for victims trafficked from Africa to Europe and facilitate their safe return.
However, the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024 highlights the rise of digital exploitation and the growing vulnerability of women and children, emphasizing the need to strengthen referral and protection mechanisms.
The 2025 conference, taking place from 17 to 19 November, provides a unique platform to consolidate lessons from the 2023 Siracusa conference, translate Nigeria’s recent policy and legal gains into practice, foster operational cooperation among Nigerian, WATIPSOM, and European CSOs, and strengthen victim-centered case management guided by the non-punishment principle.
The conference adopts an interactive and participatory methodology, fostering meaningful exchanges between Nigerian and European NGOs and international experts, while ensuring that discussions remain practical, solution-oriented, and grounded in the lived experiences of trafficked victims and vulnerable migrants.
As the conference concludes today, we would like to thank all participants and partners for their commitment, expertise, and contributions over the past two days. Their engagement and collaboration are key to advancing the protection of trafficking victims and vulnerable migrants.
