Principle 7: Co-operation and monitoring The safe and, preferably, voluntary return of trafficked persons requires co-operation between the returning and receiving states. Receiving states must facilitate return by, for example, conducting identification checks, undertaking risk and social-inclusion assessments prior to a trafficked victim’s return, issuing the necessary personal, travel and other documents, and co-operating with returning states to determine whether the planned return of a trafficked victim is safe. Of particular importance is co-operation within a state between those agencies mandated to identify victims of trafficking and those responsible for their care and protection, as well as between authorities responsible for trafficking issues and those working in the field of migration and asylum. States must ensure co-operation between the government and civil society organizations, including victim-support agencies, trade unions and business and employer organizations that may have a role to play in providing victims with assistance, supporting their reintegration and ensuring their safe return. In addition, national referral mechanisms and transnational referral mechanisms are important vehicles for in-country and cross-border co-operation, respectively, as they create strategic partnerships between government agencies, civil society and other actors engaged in protecting and promoting the human rights of trafficked persons. Mutual co-operation between returning and receiving states can help to achieve a durable solution and to ensure the full and successful reintegration of trafficked persons after their return to their communities, the education system and the labour market. Provided that they have the consent of the trafficked person, both the returning and receiving countries should monitor the return of victims of trafficking. Monitoring activities conducted by the receiving country should be focused on ensuring the ongoing safety and security of the trafficked person. Such monitoring activities should be conducted in a non-intrusive manner and should not interfere with the rights and privacy of the individuals involved. 30 Part 1: Guiding Principles of Return