Our FPS is on the front line in the fight against human trafficking

On 23 and 24 June 2025, a training session took place at the Egmont Palace for all those involved in the fight against human trafficking. Through our consular network in every corner of the world, and the issuance of passports, visas and identity cards, our FPS plays a key role in this effort.

Human trafficking remains a real scourge that undermines human dignity. Offenders take advantage of victims' existing vulnerabilities to exert control over them. They force them into prostitution in our major cities, subject them to heavy, underpaid labour in, for example, restaurants, construction, or agriculture, or even coerce them into begging or committing crimes.

Billions of euros in annual profits

To organised crime groups, human trafficking is highly attractive. Criminals see it as a lucrative activity with lower risks, i.e. lighter penalties, than other illicit activities, such as drugs and arms trafficking.

Human trafficking is estimated to generate billions of euros in annual profits, part of which flows into international terrorism. Each year, hundreds of victims are identified, but this is most likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Blue Heart Campaign

The fight against human trafficking is therefore an absolute priority for our country. Our FPS also plays an important role in this effort. All our diplomatic missions – embassies and consulates – support the Blue Heart Campaign of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the fight against human trafficking.

They also try to raise awareness of the issue among local communities and international cooperation agencies. In addition, their in-depth knowledge of the local context helps to develop strategies that are tailored to the regional situation.

Consular network on the front line

But did you know that our consular services, in particular, play a key role in the fight against human trafficking? Indeed, our posts are responsible for issuing, among other things, visas to foreigners wishing to travel to Belgium, and identity cards to Belgians registered with our posts. And in Belgium, as well as at our posts abroad, our FPS is responsible for the issuance of international passports: the familiar burgundy booklet that you need to present at border control upon arrival in another country.

Human traffickers eagerly make use of identity fraud. Offenders frequently use forged documents to conceal their true identity and to mislead the police and judicial authorities. False identities are also commonly used for victims, making it easier to smuggle them into a country. Once a victim has entered the European Schengen Area, for example, they can be easily exploited and moved between countries.

With its consular network spread across the globe, our FPS is on the front line when it comes to detecting signs of human trafficking. This includes suspicious visa applications, documents showing irregularities, or unusual behaviour during consular interviews. Our consular staff keeps a close eye on all of this.

Passport control

We also carry out thorough checks on all applications for international passports. For instance, the Belpas database automatically compares the applicant’s photo with photos they have previously used for passports or for their last identity card.

In addition, Belpas blocks all applications from individuals who have reported a loss or theft of their passport at least twice in the last five years. A so-called lost or stolen passport can be used to provide look-alikes, i.e. people who somewhat resemble the original holder, with a false identity.

Finally, applications pass through another database called Passban. Passban includes all individuals who cannot obtain passports, such as fugitives who are wanted by the police or have been reported by prosecutors.

Identity Fraud Task Force

It is therefore only logical that our FPS is a member of the federal Task Force ‘Prevention and Combating Identity Fraud.’ In this task force, we work alongside the FPS Home Affairs (Immigration Office, Directorate-General for Identity and Civil Affairs) and the federal police. Where necessary, the task force also collaborates with external partners such as prosecutors, municipalities, and the local police.

The task force coordinates the policy on preventing and combating identity fraud in Belgium. It also explores ways to enhance the security of the issuance process for travel and identity documents. For example, municipalities are increasingly adopting the live enrolment process: passport photos are taken on-site, eliminating the need for applicants to bring their own passport photos. Our consular posts exclusively use the live enrolment process and have been doing so for quite a while. In addition, the task force is committed to raising awareness and providing training for those involved in the field.

Over 200 participants

Other competent authorities also organise training sessions to combat these phenomena. For instance, on 23 and 24 June 2025, a two-day training session on the fight against human trafficking took place at the Egmont Palace. This was co-organised by the Brussels labour prosecutor’s office, the Judicial Training Institute, and our FPS.

Over 200 people participated, ranging from frontline actors (municipalities, Immigration Office, Casa Legal, etc.), reception centres and specialised entities, such as Myria, to social inspection services and Brussels police zones, as well as magistrates handling human trafficking cases.

Our Director-General for Consular Affairs, Joris Salden, delivered the opening speech. Several colleagues presented our work within multilateral organisations, the task of the Identity Fraud Task Force, and the role of our consular posts.

Our FPS, a security department

In an increasingly interconnected world, it is striking how the FPS Foreign Affairs is evolving into a security department. National security can never be guaranteed without taking international factors into account. Our FPS stands on the front line in monitoring these foreign influences. We are therefore determined to fulfil this role with dedication, surely also in the fight against the degrading practice of human trafficking.