EU Policy: 2007

EU Policy

The EU policy section provides an overview of anti-trafficking policies from the European Commission, the European Parliament and other EU institutions and agencies.

The European Union's anti-trafficking policy takes a holistic approach focusing on prevention, protection of victims, prosecution of criminals,and the developing partnerships with the various actors involved. This approachplaces human rights at the centre of all efforts to tackle this crime.

This holistic approach is reflected in the Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims of 5 of April 2011 (which replaces the 2002 framework decision).This Directive brings robust provisions on victim's protection, including national mechanisms for early identification and assistance of victims and supports the principle of non-punishment for petty crimes and unconditional assistance. It also obliges Member States to set up National Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms to be responsible for monitoring implementation of anti-trafficking policy at the national level.

An important new policy instrument that follows from the Directive on trafficking is the EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings 2012-2016. The Strategy expands on issues identified in the Directive and is consistent with its holistic approach. It focuses, therefore, on prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships and also on ways to increase knowledge on emerging concerns related to trafficking in human beings.

The Stockholm Programme from 2009 calls for a coherent policy response which goes beyond the area of freedom, security and justice. It includes external relations, development cooperation, social affairs and employment, education and health, gender equality and non-discrimination.