HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 207/14
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.8.2011
DECISIONS
COMMISSION DECISION
of 10 August 2011
on setting up the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings and repealing Decision
2007/675/EC
(2011/502/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
in human beings. Following the expiry of the 3-year
period of validity of Decision 2007/675/EC, it has to
be repealed and replaced.
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union,
(5) In
the
light
of
the
valuable
work
carried
out
by
both
expert groups since 2003 that has enabled the
Commission to further develop its policy in this area,
Whereas:
and taking into account the increasing importance at
global level of the policy on trafficking in human
beings, there is a continuing need for a group of experts.
(1)
Article 67(3) of the Treaty assigned the European Union
the task of ensuring a high level of security within the
area of freedom, security and justice. That objective is to
(6) A
new
group
of
experts
should
continue
to
advise
the
be achieved by preventing and combating crime,
Commission, taking into account recent developments at
organised and other, including trafficking in human
EU level. These include, the adoption of Directive
beings and crimes against children.
2011/36/EU; the appointment of the EU Anti-Trafficking

Coordinator; the Action-Oriented Paper on strengthening
the EU external dimension on action against trafficking
in human beings, of 30 November 2009.
(2)
According to Article 5(3) of the Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the European Union, trafficking in human
beings is prohibited.
(7) The
group
should
be
composed
of
15
members
repre
senting a wide range of expertise in all the aspects of
anti-trafficking policies and also a balanced represen
(3) Trafficking in human beings, as defined in Directive
tation in terms of institutional background and
2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the
geographic regions.
Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating
trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims,
and replacing Council Framework Decision (8)
Rules on disclosure of information by members of the
group should be laid down.
2002/629/JHA (


1 ), is a serious crime comprising
violations of fundamental human rights and human
dignity and requiring a multi-disciplinary approach
(9) Personal
data
relating
to
members
of
the
group
should
across the entire trafficking chain, encompassing
be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No
countries of origin, transit and destination alike.
45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of
individuals with regard to the processing of personal
(4) On
25
March
2003,
by
Decision
2003/209/EC
( 2 ), the
data by the Community institutions and bodies and on
Commission decided to set up a consultative group
the free movement of such data ( 4 ).
known as the ‘Experts Group on Trafficking in Human
Beings’. By Decision 2007/675/EC ( 3 ), the Commission
repealed the Decision of 25 March 2003 and set up a
(10) The
term
of
office
of
the
members
should
be
4
years
and
new consultative group, the Group of Experts on Traf
should be renewable.
ficking in Human Beings, which has contributed
substantively to the prevention of and the fight against
trafficking in human beings and enabled the Commission
(11) It
is
appropriate
to
fix
a
period
for
the
application
of
this
to gather opinions about initiatives relating to trafficking
Decision. The Commission will in due time consider the
advisability of an extension.
( 1 ) OJ L 101, 15.4.2011, p. 1.
( 2 ) OJ L 79, 26.3.2003, p. 25.
(12) Decision
2007/675/EC
should
be
repealed,
( 3 ) Commission Decision 2007/675/EC of 17 October 2007 setting up
the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings (OJ L 277,
20.10.2007, p. 29).
( 4 ) OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

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EN
12.8.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
207/15
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
5. Members
are
appointed
by
the
Director-General
of
DG
Home Affairs from among those who have responded to the
Article 1
call for applications (see Annex to the present Decision).
Subject matter
6. On the basis of the call for applications, applicants who
The Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings, here
were deemed suitable candidates for group membership but
inafter referred to as ‘the group’, is hereby established.
were not appointed should be placed on a reserve list, with
their consent. The Commission will use this list for the
Article 2
appointment of replacements for members, if needed.
Tasks
The group’s tasks shall be (
7. Members are appointed in a personal capacity for a period

1 ):
of 4 years. They shall remain in office until replaced or until
their term of office ends. Their term of office may be renewed.
(a) to advise the Commission on matters related to trafficking
in human beings and protecting its victims by issuing
written contributions, as appropriate and agreed with the
8. Members
who
are
no
longer
capable
of
contributing
Commission, and ensuring a coherent approach to the
effectively to the group’s deliberations, who resign or who do
subject;
not comply with the conditions set out in this Article, or
Article 339 of the Treaty, may be replaced for the remainder
(b) to help the Commission to assess the evolution of policy in
of their term of office.
the field of trafficking in human beings at national,
European and international levels;
9. Members shall act independently and in the public
interest.
(c) to assist the Commission in identifying and defining
possible relevant measures and actions at national,
European and international level across the range of the
10. The
names
of
the
group’s
members
shall
be
published
in
anti-trafficking policies;
the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar
entities ( 2 ) and on the Internet site of DG Home Affairs.
(d) to provide a forum for discussion on matters related to
trafficking in human beings and bring about exchanges of
experience.
11. Personal
data
shall
be
collected,
processed
and
published
in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
Article 3
Consultation
Article 5
The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating
Operation
to trafficking in human beings.
1. The
group
shall
be
chaired
by
the
EU
Anti-Trafficking
Coordinator.
Article 4
Membership — Appointment
2. In agreement with the Commission, the group may set up
1. The
group
shall
be
composed
of
15
members.
sub-groups to examine specific questions on the basis of terms
of reference defined by the group. Such groups shall be
2. The
members
of
the
group
shall
be
individuals
with dissolved as soon as their mandate is fulfilled.
expertise and experience in the prevention and the fight
against trafficking in human beings and protection of its
3. The
Chairperson
may
invite
experts
from
outside
the
victims.
group with specific competence in a subject on the agenda to
participate in the work of the group or a sub-group on an ad-
3. The composition of the group shall reflect the balance of
hoc basis.
expertise required on the different forms of trafficking as well as
the various aspects involved, such as, but not limited to labour,
healthcare, law enforcement, migration, victims support, devel
4. The
Chairperson
may
invite
official
representatives
of
opment cooperation, gender, children, fundamental rights and
Member States, candidate countries, potential candidates or
education.
third countries and of international, inter-governmental and
non-governmental organisations to participate in the meetings
4. Members of the group must be nationals of a Member
of the group as invited experts or observers.
State of the European Union or, if appropriate, of a candidate or
potential candidate country or a European Economic Area
( 2 ) Members who do not wish to have their names disclosed may apply
country.
for derogation from this rule. The request not to disclose the name
of a member of an expert group shall be considered justified
whenever publication could endanger his or her security or
( 1 ) The following list may be adapted as required.
integrity or unduly prejudice his or her privacy.

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L 207/16
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.8.2011
5. At the latest 2 months after the beginning and 2 months
Article 6
after the halfway point of the term of office, the Commission
and the group shall meet in order to exchange their views
Meeting expenses
regarding the working priorities of the group.
1. Participants in the activities of the group shall not be
remunerated for the services they render.
6. The
working
priorities
shall
reflect
the
need
for
a
coor
dinated, multi-disciplinary and coherent policy response to all
aspects of trafficking in human beings.
2. Travel
and
subsistence
expenses
incurred
by
participants
in the activities of the group shall be reimbursed by the
7. Members of the group as well as invited experts and
Commission in accordance with the provisions in force within
observers shall comply with the obligations of professional
the Commission.
secrecy laid down by the Treaties and their implementing
rules, as well as with the Commission’s rules on security
regarding the protection of EU classified information, laid
down in the Annex to Commission Decision 2001/844/EC,
3. Those
expenses
shall
be
reimbursed
within
the
limits
of
ECSC, EURATOM (
available appropriations allocated under the annual procedure

1 ). Should they fail to respect these obli
gations, the Commission may take appropriate measures.
for the allocation of resources.
8. The
meetings
of
the
group
and
sub-groups
shall
be
held
on Commission premises. The Commission shall provide secre
Article 7
tarial services.
Repeal
9. The
group
shall
submit
its
opinions
and
reports
to
the Decision 2007/675/EC is repealed.
Commission. The Commission may fix a deadline by which an
opinion or a report is to be delivered.
Article 8
10. The
deliberations
of
the
group
shall
not
be
subject
to
Entry into Force and Applicability
any vote. When an opinion or a report is adopted unanimously
by the group, the latter shall establish common conclusions and
This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following
attach them to the minutes. When the group fails to reach
its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and
unanimous agreement on an opinion or a report, it shall
shall apply for 5 years.
inform the Commission of the dissenting views expressed.
11. The
Commission
may
publish,
in
the
original
language
of the document concerned, any summary, conclusion or partial
Done at Brussels, 10 August 2011.
conclusion or working document prepared by the group.
12. The
Commission
shall
publish
relevant
information
on
For the Commission
the activities carried out by the group either by including it in
the Register or via a link from the Register to the Internet site
The President
of DG Home Affairs.
José Manuel BARROSO
( 1 ) Commission Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, EURATOM of
29 November 2001 amending its internal Rules of Procedure
(OJ L 317, 3.12.2001, p. 1).

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EN
12.8.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
207/17
ANNEX
Call for applications for the selection of experts appointed in their personal capacity for the Group of Experts
on Trafficking in Human Beings
By Decision 2011/502/EU ( 1 ), the Commission has set up the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings. The EU
Anti-Trafficking Coordinator will chair the group and may consult the group on any matter relating to trafficking in
human beings.
The tasks of the group of experts are:
(a) to advise the Commission on matters related to trafficking in human beings by issuing written contributions, as
appropriate and agreed with the Commission, and ensuring a coherent approach to the subject;
(b) to help the Commission to assess the evolution of policy in the field of trafficking in human beings at national,
European and international levels;
(c) to assist the Commission in identifying and defining possible relevant measures and actions at European and national
level across the range of anti-trafficking policy;
(d) to provide a forum for discussion on matters related to trafficking in human beings and bring about an exchange of
experience.
The Commission is therefore calling for applications with a view to selecting members of the group of experts.
The group of experts shall consist of 15 members appointed in their personal capacity, in accordance with Article 4 of
the above Decision.
The Commission shall select members in a personal capacity for a 4-year renewable period. They shall give the
Commission an independent opinion free from outside influence and shall respect the conditions of confidentiality
mentioned in Article 5 of the Commission Decision establishing the group of experts. They shall undertake to act
independently and in the public interest. The Commission will take the following criteria into account when assessing
applications:
(a) proven competence, high level of professional achievement and experience (at least 5 years), including at European
and/or international level, in areas of activities in preventing and fighting trafficking in human beings and protecting
victims and/or related areas;
(b) sound understanding of the current EU acquis in the field of trafficking in human beings;
(c) demonstrated ability to work in English;
(d) the need to strike a balance within the group of experts in terms of representativeness of applicants, gender and
geographical origin ( 2 );
(e) the need for a balance of expertise on different forms of trafficking including labour and sexual exploitation, on
different aspects such as prevention, prosecution, victims’ assistance, as well as in other related areas such as, but not
limited to law enforcement, labour, migration, healthcare, social services, children’s rights, education and on funda
mental rights, social rights, gender equality, etc.;
(f) the need to favour continuity of the work of the Experts Group established by Commission Decision 2007/675/EC ( 3 );
(g) Members of the group must be nationals of a Member State of the European Union or, if appropriate, of a candidate
or potential candidate country or a European Economic Area country.
The above will be assessed on the basis of the filled-in CV and application form.
Applications may only be submitted by filling in the model application form (Appendix) and model CV ( 4 ). Applicants are
asked to clearly state in their application the area of trafficking in human beings in which they possess particular
expertise.
( 1 ) Commission Decision 2011/502/EU of 10 August 2011 on setting up the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings and
repealing Decision 2007/675/EC (see page 14 of this Official Journal).
( 2 ) Commission Decision 2000/407/EC of 19 June 2000 relating to gender balance within the committees and expert groups established
by it (OJ L 154, 27.6.2000, p. 34).
( 3 ) Commission Decision 2007/675/EC of 17 October 2007 setting up the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings (OJ L 277,
20.10.2007, p. 29).
( 4 ) All curricula vitae should be submitted in the European format: www.cedefop.eu.int/transparency/cv.asp

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L 207/18
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.8.2011
The duly signed applications must be sent in by […] at the latest either by e-mail or by post to the following address:
European Commission
Directorate-General Home Affairs
Unit A2 Secretariat
LX 46 3/131
1049 BRUSSELS
Belgium
HOME-ANTITRAFFICKING@ec.europa.eu
Where applications are sent by e-mail, the date of e-mail will be the date of sending. Where applications are sent by post,
the postmark will be considered the date of sending.
The Commission will reimburse travel and subsistence expenses in connection with the activities of the group of experts
in accordance with the provisions in force at the Commission, within the limits of the available budgetary appropriations.
Members will receive no remuneration for their duties.
The list of members of the group of experts will be published in the Register of Commission expert groups and other
similar entities ( 1 ) and on the Internet site of DG Home Affairs.
Personal data will be collected, processed and published in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001
of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 2 ).
For any further information please contact Ms Joanna BECZAA, tel. +32 22969639, e-mail joanna.beczala@ec.europa.eu
Information on the results of the call for applications will be published on the Internet site of DG Home Affairs and, if
appropriate, in the Official Journal of the European Union.
( 1 ) Members who do not wish to have their names disclosed may apply for derogation from this rule. The request not to disclose the name
of a member of an expert group shall be considered justified whenever publication could endanger his or her security or integrity or
unduly prejudice his or her privacy.
( 2 ) Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals
with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data
(OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.).

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EN
12.8.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
207/19
Appendix

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L 207/20
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
12.8.2011

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EN
12.8.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
207/21

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