EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings
Date Published: 26-06-2012
Recent estimates from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggest 20.9 million people are victims of forced labour world-wide, including forced sexual exploitation. Some 5.5 million are children, whom, according to Europol, are forced into criminal activity such as organised begging and shoplifting.
The European Commission has adopted a five year strategy to prevent, protect and help victims of trafficking as well as prosecuting the trafficker.
Five priorities have been identified at EU level which involve “the establishment of law enforcement units specialised in human trafficking at national level and the creation of joint European investigation teams to prosecute cross-border trafficking cases”:-
- Strengthening the identification, protection and assistance to victims, with a special emphasis on children.
- Stepping up the prevention of trafficking in human beings, including by reducing demand
- Increasing prosecution of traffickers
- Enhancing coordination, cooperation and coherence within the EU, with international organisations, and with third countries, including civil society and the private sector
- Increasing knowledge of, and effective response to, emerging trends in human trafficking
For more information
See European Commission MEMO/12/455 on An EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human beings
Listen to interviews with victims of trafficking
See Homepage of Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Home Affairs
See European Commission Anti-trafficking website