4.11.2. New initiatives 

In 2022, EU+ countries implemented proactive measures to address the needs of victims of human trafficking, including improving the provision of interpretation. For example, the Ministry of Justice in Iceland published information material on indicators of human trafficking in three languages (Icelandic, English and Polish), with the aim of helping to identify potential victims of human trafficking.928  In Luxembourg, new safeguards were adopted by courts to provide interpretation to all victims of human trafficking.929

Countries developed more guidance and support material to interpreters throughout 2022. On International Women’s Day, Belgium announced a series of training sessions for interpreters on intercultural communication, with a focus on women and victims of human trafficking.930

BAMF published a revised code of ethics for interpreters in asylum procedures, an updated booklet with general information and recommendations for interpreters, a new webpage on interpretation in asylum procedures, and bilingual terminology lists on asylum and SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity).931

In Finland, a multilingual glossary on housing and social security was developed to provide a new working tool for interpreters.932

UNHCR updated its "Handbook for Interpreters in Asylum Proceedings" to reflect changes in procedures and add specific sections on remote interpretation and interpretation for groups.933  OFPRA in France also updated its charter for interpreters issued in 2018.934  A new call for proposals from the Norwegian Fund was launched in Bulgaria, which aims to improve specific services directed at asylum applicants, including translation and interpretation.935  The IOM supported a total of 704 persons accommodated in the centres of the State Agency for Refugees with interpretation to access different services.

There has been a growing trend of former applicants working as interpreters during the asylum procedure. This was seen in 2022 in Ireland936  and Lithuania, where persons registering for temporary protection were assisted by their fellow citizens in registration and other procedures. This practice proved to be very effective as the Ukrainian interpreters had experience with the migration patterns and the trauma associated with the war.937