WASHINGTON D.C. (March 12, 2026) – The Embassy of Liechtenstein, together with the McCain Institute and Justice & Care, convened leading prosecutors and experts in Washington on for a high-level discussion on advancing justice through global prosecution networks and cross-border partnerships to combat human trafficking. Hosted with the support of Ambassador Georg Sparber, the event highlighted the critical role of transnational collaboration in advancing more effective global action against trafficking.
The gathering brought together senior practitioners and representatives from multiple jurisdictions to examine the work of the Global Consortium on Prosecuting Human Trafficking – an international network co-created by the McCain Institute and Justice & Care, which is dedicated to enhancing prosecutorial capacity, improving cross‑border coordination, and increasing the effectiveness of trafficking prosecutions worldwide.
Human trafficking cases are increasingly transnational, often involving complex criminal networks operating across borders. Participants discussed how strategic partnerships between prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and civil‑society organizations can help overcome these challenges by facilitating the exchange of expertise, operational insights, and practical tools.
By convening experienced prosecutors, research expertise, and strategic partnerships, the Consortium seeks to strengthen the global response to human trafficking – supporting practitioners to build stronger cases, strengthen survivor‑centered approaches, and hold traffickers accountable.
Speakers also emphasized the need to bridge the gap between international policy frameworks and the realities faced by prosecutors on the ground. Through direct engagement between experienced practitioners, the Consortium aims to ensure that global anti‑trafficking commitments translate into effective investigations, stronger prosecutions, and justice for survivors.
“Human trafficking is a transnational crime, and it will only be defeated through transnational cooperation,” said Justice & Care Chief Executive James Clarry. “This event showed how trusted partnerships between prosecutors, governments, and civil society can deliver justice faster for survivors.”
“As a former prosecutor, I was trained to pursue convictions, but justice is not always delivered in the form of a guilty verdict. Only survivors can tell us what justice truly means for them,” said McCain Institute Chief Program Officer Cindy Dyer.
The event also spotlighted progress in Bangladesh, where recent legislative reforms to the country’s anti‑trafficking framework demonstrate how collaboration among government, practitioners and civil society organizations, and international partners can drive meaningful systems change. Justice & Care’s long‑standing work in Bangladesh – supporting frontline investigators, strengthening survivor‑centered approaches and trauma-informed support, and advising on policy reform – was highlighted as a key contributor to these advances, illustrating how sustained partnership can translate into concrete improvements in national responses to trafficking.
“Traffickers don’t play by the rules—it’s essential we put the strong, cross-border cooperative frameworks in place to intercept them,” said Justice & Care Bangladesh Country Director Tariqul Islam.
Learn more about the McCain Institute’s Human Rights & Freedom program HERE.