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Trafficking in human beings European CommissionEU action against trafficking in human beingsTrafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a gross violation of human rights. Trafficking is different from illegal migration. In a trafficking case, when a migrant crosses the border, she/he is further exploited in coercive or inhuman conditions. People are trafficked for the purpose of sexual or labour exploitation. Children are also trafficked for the purpose of exploitation in begging or in illegal activities. Trafficking can also occur for the purpose of the removal of organs. Trafficking in human beings is very often linked with organised crime. According to Europol, the number of victims trafficked to Europe might be hundred thousand yearly. Out of these, the majority are women and children. Trafficking is considered the second source of illicit profits for organised crime. In 2005 ILO (International Labour Organisation) estimated annual profits from trafficked people in forced economic and sexual exploitation worldwide to be around 31.600 million dollars. Therefore the response to the crime must be robust, and effectively deal with prevention, prosecution, protection and support to victims.
I) Latest developmentsIn accordance with Council conclusions adopted by JHA Council on 8-9 November 2007, the Commission will issue by the end of 2008 an evaluation and monitoring report of the EU Action Plan on best practices, standards and procedures adopted in December 2005. The relevant Commission Working Paper will give an overview of anti-trafficking action in the EU area and Norway by analysing the state of play of anti-trafficking policy in Member States; and the implementation of actions envisaged by the Action Plan by EU bodies. It will also put forward indications for the continuation of anti-trafficking action. The EU Anti-Trafficking Day has been established on 18 October of every year, starting on 18 October 2007. The day is an opportunity for awareness raising exercise on the need for better policy aimed at preventing and combating trafficking in human beings. The first Anti-Trafficking Day had the motto "Time for action", to underline the need for more effective initiatives. Victims' identification and assistance has been the priority for 2007 and for the first Anti-Trafficking Day. In particular, JLS services presented "Recommendations on the identification and referral to services of victims of trafficking in human beings" On Anti-Trafficking Day an Assessment Manual on "Measuring responses to Trafficking in Human Beings" In 2007, it was decided to set up a web-based directory of support structures. This directory would consist of weblinks, for all the Member States, on the existing support schemes, on one freely accessible webpage. It was decided that this webpage should contain links to a central body in each Member State, whether public or private, which could be accessed for information on existing support structures and contact details.The Commission has agreed that its DG JLS webpage could be used setting out the above links, it being understood that Member States remain responsible for the content of the weblinks they provide.
Trafficking is a priority in the financial programs 2007 and 2008 on the prevention and fight against crime (ISEC). Nine studies directly related to trafficking have been selected for funding, and another three deal with related subjects. The total amount of funds allocate by the Commission is EUR 3,102,484.78. In addition, two studies have been funded, whose results will be available in 2009. Various projects on trafficking are also funded under the DAPHNE financial programme. In the framework of the recently established Group of Experts on the policy needs for data on crime and criminal justice (OJ 2006/L 234/29, 29.8.2006), a sub-group is now working on criteria for data collection and assessment on trafficking. In this context JLS in cooperation with ILO (International Labour Organisation) has launched an exercise based on the DELPHI method, aimed at reaching consensus among a wide group of experts on a selected list of indicators for data collection. A Commission Decision setting up the Group of Experts on Trafficking in Human Beings was adopted on 17 October 2007 (OJ 2007/L 277/29, 20.10.2007). After four years of fruitful work of the previous Experts Group, the new group will soon be appointed. It will include specific expertise on trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation.  II) General contextSince 1997 the European Commission has been actively engaged in EU activities developing a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach towards the prevention and the fight against trafficking in human beings. The Council Framework Decision of 19 July 2002 on combating trafficking in human beings (2002/629/JHA - OJ 2002/L 203/1, 1.8.2002) provides for measures aimed at ensuring approximation of national penal legislation concerning the definition of offences, penalties, jurisdiction and prosecution, protection and assistance to victims. The Council Directive 2004/81/EC of 29 April 2004 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities (OJ 2004/L 261, 6.8.2004) establishes and obligation for Member States to provide for reflection period and residence status, with related assistance and support measures, to victims of trafficking in human beings. The Council EU plan on best practices, standards and procedures for combating and preventing trafficking in human beings (OJ 2005/C 311/1, 9.12.2005) provides for actions to be implemented by Member States, the Commission and other EU bodies concerning coordination of EU action, scoping the problem, prevention, reducing the demand, investigating and prosecuting, protecting and supporting victims of trafficking, returns and reintegration, external relations. The Report of the Experts Group on trafficking in human beings Financial programmes are an important tool to develop or strengthen policies in the fight against human trafficking. The new financial programme covering trafficking in human beings is 'Prevention of and Fight against Crime', which runs over the period 2007-2013, and covers different areas including trafficking in human beings, which has been a priority for 2007 and 2008. Beside the general framework programme applicable to human trafficking, there are other important financial instruments focusing on specific areas related to trafficking in human beings such as Daphne III Programme, which targets specifically violence against children, young people, women and groups at risk. Consultative WorkshopKeywords
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[75 KB]. The recommendations call for the establishment of a national mechanism aimed at early identification and assistance to victims, based on close cooperation between governments and civil society organisations. The Council conclusions adopted by the JHA Council on 8-9 November 2007 take note of the Recommendations.