Prosecution Trends”, organized by the Italian National Judicial Council in Rome. In line with MC.DEC/5/08 on Enhancing Criminal Justice Responses to Trafficking in Human Beings through a Comprehensive Approach, she addressed strategies for safeguarding the rights of trafficked persons. On 4-5 April, the SR/CTHB addressed an international training course for judges and prosecutors on “Penal Systems, Migration Flows and International Co-operation”, which the Italian Judicial Council organized in Rome. Participants included judges and prosecutors from Albania, France, Italy and Romania, as well as representatives of Eurojust, and NGOs. She lectured on international standards for the protection of victims’ rights and the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach to the identification and assistance of trafficked persons. On 19 April, the SR/CTHB participated as a keynote speaker in a training course on THB organized by EULEX in Pristina. The training was attended by some 40 professionals, including EULEX judges, prosecutors, legal officers, advisers and other international experts. The SR/CTHB also held consultations with the Head of OMIK and other OSCE officials, and the President of the Assembly of EULEX Judges, as well as local authorities and representatives of civil society. In her address, the SR/CTHB outlined how restrictive interpretations of legal provisions in the Palermo Protocol can lead to a low prosecution and conviction rate. She elaborated on how the cultural background of practitioners can lead them towards such restrictive interpretations, and thus the need for further capacity-building among judges and prosecutors to ensure that there is a better understanding of the penal provisions on human trafficking. On 6-7 October, the Deputy Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings participated in the “Second Regional Conference of Presidents of Supreme Courts and State Prosecutors on Co-operation in Criminal Matters” which was organized by the highest judicial institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the conference, representatives of the regional judiciary discussed the possibilities of enhancing co-operation in various segments of work and potential regional projects, including through mutual legal assistance. The Deputy Co-ordinator addressed the conference on behalf of the SR/CTHB, focusing on the challenges of THB for the criminal justice system and the role of judges and prosecutors in ensuring justice for trafficking victims. She met with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as with the Acting Chief Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to discuss challenges and developments related to strengthening the capacity to address THB for labour exploitation, including investigation and prosecution of cases. On 31 October and 1 November, as part of a country visit to Moldova, the SR/CTHB met with the Chair of the Superior Council of Magistrates, and the Deputy Director of the National Institute of Justice. In the meetings the SR/CTHB stressed the importance of regular training programmes on THB issues for the judiciary, and emphasized the importance of addressing aspects related to victims’ rights, including the right to compensation and prevention of secondary victimization. She further recommended that such programmes be multidisciplinary and also involve representatives of NGOs, lawyers and prosecutors. Promoting the Implementation of the OSCE Anti-Trafficking Commitments, Strengthening Co-operation with External Partners On 20-21 June, the SR/CTHB convened the “11th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference” on “Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation: Decent Work and Social Justice” in Vienna. The event brought together over 350 participants, including distinguished speakers from participating States, international organizations and civil society. For the first time, the conference was webcast live, thereby reaching out to a much broader audience. The conference examined the current trends and features of 35