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Sat, May 26 2012
New measures against people trafficking proposed by European Commission
European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom addresses a news conference on human trafficking and child pornography, at European Commission headquarters in Brussels, March 29 2010.
The European Commission has proposed new rules to step up the fight against trafficking in human beings.
The new proposal, made on March 29 2010, will help to combat modern slavery by "ensuring consistency of national rules on crimes and penalties, better assistance for victims and tougher action to prosecute criminals responsible for trafficking," the European Commission media office said.
Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said: "In the 21st century, we should not have women and girls reduced to sexual slavery, children beaten and mistreated, forced to beg and to steal and young adults compelled to work in appalling conditions for hunger wages.
"These crimes are not acceptable under any circumstances. We must do everything possible to stop the people responsible for these acts," Malmström said.
According to International Labour Organisation estimates, there are globally at least 2.45 million people in forced labour as a result of trafficking in human beings.
Most victims of trafficking are exploited for prostitution (43 per cent) - overwhelmingly women and girls - or for menial labour (32 per cent).
Several hundred thousand people are estimated to be trafficked into the EU or within the EU every year.
The European Commission, in its March 29 proposal, put forward EU rules that would oblige EU member states to act on the three fronts of prosecuting criminals responsible for trafficking human beings, protecting the victims and preventing the offences.
The Commission said that it would also soon take steps to appoint an EU Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator to make EU anti-trafficking policy more efficient, visible and coherent, including in relation to addressing root causes and working with third countries.
The proposal, the EC said, would increase consistency among national rules on crimes and penalties. Offenders would face charges even if they commit crimes abroad. Investigative tools used to fight organised crime should be made available to police and judicial authorities.
Victims would receive accommodation, medical care to help them recover and witness protection so that they are not afraid to testify against their perpetrators. They would also receive legal aid throughout the proceedings including for the purpose of claiming financial compensation.
To do more to prevent human trafficking, the proposal envisages raising awareness of potential victims on the risks of falling pray to traffickers, and of public officials to detect cases of trafficking and deal with them. It encourages sanctions against persons who knowingly employ or buy services from trafficking victims. It would also establish bodies in EU member states to monitor implementation of these actions.
This new proposal builds on a legislative proposal made in 2009 to replace existing rules in force since 2002. the European Commission said.
After the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the former proposal has to be reshaped. This will also allow for the European Commission to verify that EU law is correctly translated into national rules and take those countries that are not complying to court.
The proposals will be discussed in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers and once approved, should be transposed into national legislation.
The new proposal, made on March 29 2010, will help to combat modern slavery by "ensuring consistency of national rules on crimes and penalties, better assistance for victims and tougher action to prosecute criminals responsible for trafficking," the European Commission media office said.
Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said: "In the 21st century, we should not have women and girls reduced to sexual slavery, children beaten and mistreated, forced to beg and to steal and young adults compelled to work in appalling conditions for hunger wages.
"These crimes are not acceptable under any circumstances. We must do everything possible to stop the people responsible for these acts," Malmström said.
According to International Labour Organisation estimates, there are globally at least 2.45 million people in forced labour as a result of trafficking in human beings.
Most victims of trafficking are exploited for prostitution (43 per cent) - overwhelmingly women and girls - or for menial labour (32 per cent).
Several hundred thousand people are estimated to be trafficked into the EU or within the EU every year.
The European Commission, in its March 29 proposal, put forward EU rules that would oblige EU member states to act on the three fronts of prosecuting criminals responsible for trafficking human beings, protecting the victims and preventing the offences.
The Commission said that it would also soon take steps to appoint an EU Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator to make EU anti-trafficking policy more efficient, visible and coherent, including in relation to addressing root causes and working with third countries.
The proposal, the EC said, would increase consistency among national rules on crimes and penalties. Offenders would face charges even if they commit crimes abroad. Investigative tools used to fight organised crime should be made available to police and judicial authorities.
Victims would receive accommodation, medical care to help them recover and witness protection so that they are not afraid to testify against their perpetrators. They would also receive legal aid throughout the proceedings including for the purpose of claiming financial compensation.
To do more to prevent human trafficking, the proposal envisages raising awareness of potential victims on the risks of falling pray to traffickers, and of public officials to detect cases of trafficking and deal with them. It encourages sanctions against persons who knowingly employ or buy services from trafficking victims. It would also establish bodies in EU member states to monitor implementation of these actions.
This new proposal builds on a legislative proposal made in 2009 to replace existing rules in force since 2002. the European Commission said.
After the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the former proposal has to be reshaped. This will also allow for the European Commission to verify that EU law is correctly translated into national rules and take those countries that are not complying to court.
The proposals will be discussed in the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers and once approved, should be transposed into national legislation.
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"These crimes are not acceptable under any circumstances. We must do everything possible to stop the people responsible for these acts," Malmström said.''
these all are outcome of our life style.. u didnt care until now whats happening on the other side of the world.. sexual exploitation is only one part of the reality.. the problem is u dont see the root causes.. however u are interested in only crimes..the outcomes..
I can’t agree more Tammy, I will also look for that book you mention. The very thought of someone even contemplating taking a child sickens me. Surely people in the authority must know what’s going on? Or is it they find other subjects more vote catching? I hope not, because a child is our future, the worlds future. Destroy the child and you destroy the world.
I never realised this went on, and just what happens to these people. That was until I read a book called Unit T Special Forces. Believe me it opened my eyes as to what happens to these children, and I really really hope the EU can do something about it. I feel very sad that one person can sell another. these people traders should be sent away for life, because that is what they are doing for so many innocent children.