Serena Forlati, LL.M. (Bruges), Ph.D. (Rome, La Sapienza), is Professor of International Law at the University of Ferrara. Among her publications are S. Carnevale, S. Forlati, O. Giolo (eds), Redefining Organized Crime – A Challenge for the European Union? (Hart, 2017) and S. Forlati, P. Franzina (eds), Universal Civil Jurisdiction – Which Way Forward? (Brill/Nijhoff, 2020).

• ContentsPrefaceInternational Cooperation under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized CrimeExpectations and ExperiencesAndreas SchloenhardtAbstractKeywordsIntroduction1 Extradition2 Mutual Legal Assistance3 Confiscation4 Other Forms of International Cooperation5 ObservationsStatus of Implementation of the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol 20 Years after the Palermo ConventionFabrizio SarricaAbstractKeywords1 Introduction: Trafficking in Persons and the United Nations Protocol on Trafficking in Persons2 What Is Trafficking in Persons?3 Main Patterns of Trafficking in Persons4 United Nations Protocol on Trafficking in Persons5 The UNODC Global Reports on Trafficking in Persons6 Status of Implementation: The Legislation Worldwide7 Status of Implementation: Criminal Justice Response, Level of Convictions8 Conclusions – 20 Years on the Path against Human TraffickingSmuggled Migrants as Victims? Reflecting on the UN Protocol against Migrant Smuggling and on Its ImplementationAlessandro SpenaAbstract 43Keywords1 Approaches to Migrant Smuggling2 The Hybrid Approach of the UN Smuggling of Migrants Protocol3 The Kaleidoscopic Figure of the Smuggled Migrant4 Intermediate Summary5 Challenges for the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol’s ImplementationProtocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and AmmunitionImplementation Challenges and ResponsesSimonetta GrassiAbstract 58KeywordsIntroduction1 Framing the Issue of Illicit Trafficking in Firearms2 Addressing Illicit Firearms Trafficking at a Policy Level3 Addressing Threats at the Programme Level – A Multipronged Approach4 ConclusionHuman Trafficking and Corruption of Public OfficialsReflections on the Interaction of the United Nations Legal Frameworks against Trafficking and CorruptionRosana GarciandiaAbstractKeywordsIntroduction1 The Link between Human Trafficking and Corruption2 The Palermo Protocol against Trafficking and Its Connection to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC): Synergies and Opportunities for Further Coordination3 ConclusionsThe Obligations of Prevention, Protection and Assistance to Victims of TraffickingRuth Shrimpling and Annelies BlondéAbstractKeywordsIntroduction1 The Needs of Victims2 VSE and the Needs of Victims of Crime3 Legal and Policy Framework4 Theory vs. Reality5 ConclusionThe Smuggling Protocol and the Criminalization of Humanitarian Activities at SeaLaura SalvadegoAbstractKeywordsIntroduction1 The Implementation Gap at the EU Level2 The Case of Italy3 Concluding RemarksInternational Cooperation to Counter Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking through Special Investigative TechniquesChallenges in the Implementation of the International Legal Framework Regulating Undercover Operations in the Italian Legal SystemEugenio ZaniboniAbstractKeywordsIntroduction1 New Italian Rules on Undercover Operations after the Implementation of Law Decree No. 53/20192 The New Italian Bill and the Goal of “Strengthening Investigative Coordination in the Field of Crimes Related to Illegal Immigration”: A Reached Target or a Missed Opportunity?3 Conclusion