As part of efforts to strengthen international cooperation and the exchange of expertise in combating trafficking in human beings, the National Commission for the Coordination of Measures to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), conducted a study visit to the Portuguese Republic from 18 to 21 May 2026, within the framework of the project “Protection and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings”.
This visit forms part of efforts to support and strengthen the national system for combating trafficking in human beings, particularly in the areas of protection, prevention, victim care and institutional coordination, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 27.14 on combating trafficking in human beings, the National Strategy to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings 2023-2030, and the National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking in human beings.
The visit provided an opportunity to hold a series of technical and institutional meetings with several Portuguese stakeholders involved in combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims. In this regard, the Moroccan delegation, headed by Mr Hicham Mellati, Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons and Crime Observation and supervisor of the National Commission responsible for coordinating measures to combat trafficking in human beings and prevent this phenomenon, held a meeting with Mr Manuel Albano, Portuguese National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, in the presence of Mr Nuno Teixeira, Coordinator of the Northern Delegation.
This meeting underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and unifying joint efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings, in particular through the development of mechanisms to raise awareness of the risks associated with this crime, especially among migrants and vulnerable groups, as well as the strengthening of services for the protection, support and reintegration of victims. The two parties also reaffirmed their commitment to establishing an effective and flexible partnership by enhancing the exchange of information and coordination among the various stakeholders in order to curb the activities of criminal networks operating in this field.
The programme also included a meeting with Ms Rita Penedo, Head of the Observatory on Trafficking in Human Beings in Portugal, with the participation of representatives of the international relations services of the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration, including Mr Ricardo Carrilho, Secretary-General of the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration, and Ms Silvia Lopes, Head of the International Relations Division.
The meeting with the Portuguese Observatory on Trafficking in Human Beings (OTSH) provided an opportunity to learn about the Portuguese experience in collecting, analysing and managing data on trafficking in human beings, as a specialised national mechanism playing a central role in supporting public policies and strengthening prevention, protection and institutional coordination mechanisms. On this occasion, the Head of the Observatory presented the missions and roles of this body in preparing national and international reports, monitoring trends in the phenomenon, and producing indicators and statistical and qualitative data.
The meeting also allowed for an exchange of experiences and good practices in the areas of monitoring, evaluation and support for public policies based on accurate scientific data, as well as reflection on prospects for cooperation and the exchange of expertise between the Portuguese Observatory on Trafficking in Human Beings and the National Crime Observatory in Morocco, particularly with regard to developing data collection and analysis mechanisms and preparing indicators and reports on trafficking in human beings offences.
The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Portuguese Office of the Prosecutor General, with the participation of Mr David Aguilar, Adviser to the Office of the Prosecutor General, and Ms Felismina de Carvalho Franco, Public Prosecutor. This meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on judicial follow-up and institutional coordination mechanisms in cases of trafficking in human beings, as well as on victim and witness protection mechanisms and the management of investigation and evidence-gathering procedures, while underlining the importance of strengthening international judicial cooperation.
The visit also featured a joint meeting with representatives of the Judicial Police, the National Republican Guard and the Public Security Police, in the presence of Ms Patrícia Silveira, Director of the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, and Mr Paulo Torres, Criminal Investigation Coordinator, at the headquarters of the International Organization for Migration in Portugal. Discussions focused on inquiry, investigation and security coordination mechanisms in combating trafficking networks and transnational organised crime.
A meeting was also held with the Family Planning Association (APF), in the presence of Ms Marta Pereira, National Coordinator for Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings, and Ms Vanessa Branco, Coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Team.
These various meetings enabled the Moroccan delegation to learn about the Portuguese experience in institutional coordination, national referral mechanisms, and the protection of and assistance to victims, as well as to exchange views on good practices relating to the early identification of victims, their care and their reintegration.
At the close of the visit, the participants emphasised the importance of further strengthening cooperation and the exchange of expertise between Moroccan and Portuguese institutions, and of developing practical and sustainable partnerships capable of helping to strengthen mechanisms for the prevention, protection and care of victims of trafficking in human beings, within an approach grounded in human rights and multilateral cooperation.
