18 October 2007, Brussels
The launch of the annual EU Anti-Trafficking Day is another important step in the European Commission's long-standing commitment on preventing and fighting trafficking in human beings. The Anti-Trafficking Day aims at raising awareness about the phenomena that is in practice a gross violation of human rights. The expected participation of some 150 delegates from EU Member States, non-governmental organisations, inter-governmental bodies and individual experts will bring the field experience and national practices into the discussion. The meeting to launch the annual Anti-Trafficking Day follows the conference on the gender aspect of human trafficking organised by the Portuguese Presidency, in Porto on 8-9 October 2007.
The title of the event, "Trafficking in Human Beings: Time for Action", highlights the clear need for the implementation of practical measures to prevent and combat trafficking and to protect victims of trafficking at national, European and international level. The question is how we can improve the results of our fight against trafficking. To this end, part of the discussion will focus on the outcome of the work carried out by the European Commission's Expert Group on Trafficking in Human Beings that has developed a list of indicators as part of a policy evaluation method in order to enhance national policies in the area of concerns. Furthermore, the Commission will present a set of Recommendations on victim's identification and assistance that should lead to the strengthening its policy tools in combating trafficking. The document endorsed by the meeting should eventually lead to a framework in the further development and implementation of policies to address trafficking.
EU Anti-Trafficking Day - "Trafficking in Human Beings: Time for action!"
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