Stepping up the fight against trafficking and child abuse
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Trafficking in human beings and the abuse and exploitation of children are serious criminal acts, often linked to organised crime. The ministers for justice held a preliminary debate on these problems on 6 April. They discussed two Commission proposals to improve existing EU legislation.
Both areas of criminality constitute major violations of human rights. The offenders take advantage of the victims' vulnerable situation. Trafficking may be considered a new form of slavery, when a person is forced by threats or constraint into domestic servitude, prostitution, cheap labour, begging or illegal activities. People are also trafficked for the purpose of organ removal. Women and children are particularly victims of this exploitation.
The EU has already taken steps to tackle this global problem; legislation, however, needs adapting to developments of criminality and recently adopted international standards. The rise in trafficking and a more widespread distribution of child pornography on the internet have made the need for action more acute.
The proposed instruments will tighten up rules. More cases of exploitation and sexual abuse as sex tourism (even if committed abroad), and "grooming" (online soliciting of children for sexual purposes) will be criminalised and made punishable by imprisonment. Aggravating circumstances will increase penalties. New investigation tools that are used to fight organised crime such as telephone tapping and electronic surveillance are introduced, and protection and assistance to victims extended.
More information:
Council Press release (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference