The 2024 EU Human Trafficking Directive: A comprehensive update?

This paper evaluates Directive 2024/1712/EU amending Directive 2011/36/EU and its possible impact on combating human trafficking in the European Union. The analysis draws from the evaluation of the proposal of the new directive, the various versions of the text (European Commission, Council of the European Union and European Parliament), as well as inputs from national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations resulting from the public consultation. The paper also critically assesses the final Directive 2024/1712/EU drawing on the existing literature on human trafficking. While the legal revision introduces improved protection measures and expanded criminal provisions, critical gaps remain. The amendments offer only limited improvements related to criminal prosecution, protection of trafficked persons, and institutional cooperation, despite clear research results highlighting persistent gaps and challenges. Furthermore, the paper argues that the directive leaves behind other elements related to human trafficking prevention and protection of victims, such as restrictive immigration policies, demand for cheap labour and special rights of trafficked migrants. We argue that a more holistic approach is needed, and that the EU should foster evidence-based policy to effectively combat human trafficking.