EU Anti trafficking Day: towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings

18 October is EU Anti-Trafficking Day. To mark the Eight EU Anti trafficking Day, the European Commission has published a package on Trafficking in Human Beings and civil society organizations have launched a European campaign against human trafficking and labour exploitation.

Trafficking in human beings in the EU

During the years 2010-2012, EU Member States registered 30 146 victims of trafficking in human beings. During the same period, 8 551 prosecutions against traffickers were reported across the EU. In order to see the number of victims of trafficking in human beings decrease and the one of prosecutions against traffickers increase, both the EU Institutions and Civil Society Organizations have mobilized.

European Commission package on Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)

On the occasion of the Eight EU Anti trafficking Day, the European Commission has released a package on Trafficking in Human Beings consisting of three documents, that has been presented by Commissioner Malmström on 18 October. It is to be reminded that with the adoption of the EU Anti Trafficking Directive in 2011, courts all over Europe are now judging crimes relating to human trafficking as equally severe, with common prison sentences, and EU countries are obliged to provide proper support to victims.

The three documents presented are:

  1. Mid-term Report on the Implementation of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016;

The EU 2012-2016 Strategy on Trafficking in human beings sets out 40 concrete and practical measures against trafficking in human beings, putting the protection and rights of the victims at the forefront. The mid-term Report assesses the progresses made on the Strategy’s four key priorities:

  • Identifying, protecting and assisting victims of trafficking;
  • Stepping up the prevention of trafficking in human beings;
  • Increased prosecution of traffickers; and
  • Enhanced coordination, cooperation and policy coherence.
  1. Second Eurostat working paper on Trafficking in Human Beings, with statistical data on THB across the EU;
  2. Separated communication on the Implementation of Directive 2004/81/EC that regulates the granting of a residence permit to non-EU victims of trafficking who cooperate with the authorities for the investigation and prosecution of the alleged traffickers.

Read the European Commission press release on Trafficking in human beings 2010-2014: eradicating the slave trade and visit the Commission’s THB website for more information.  

An infographic on Trafficking in Human Beings in the EU is also available for further statistics and data.

Launch of the Used in Europe Campaign

On 17 October, ahead of the EU Anti-Trafficking Day on 18 October, La Strada International and 30 partner organizations in Europe have launched the campaign Used in Europe: human trafficking and labour exploitation on our continent.

This campaign reaches out to consumers, the private sector and States to address human trafficking, including forced and exploitative labour in Europe. The campaign calls upon governments to take a clear stand against human trafficking and to end exploitative labour conditions for all workers, including migrant workers, in Europe.

A specific informative platform has been launched to keep information on the campaign up-to-date and to pass on the latest developments on the fight against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Publication Date: Sat 18 Oct 2014
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