Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-06-04-Speech-3-288"
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"en.20080604.28.3-288"2
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"Madam President, although the issue does not fall within in my portfolio, I feel privileged to substitute for my good friend and colleague Jacques Barrot, and to participate in this debate, because I am convinced that this is a very important issue.
Question No 4: forced prostitution and trafficking in human beings are a violation of fundamental rights and are one type of organised crime. Efforts to combat criminal networks must necessarily be transnational. Cross-border cooperation between Member States’ police forces has a privileged channel in Europol. In addition, the fight against trafficking in human beings is a priority area in the financial programme ‘Prevention of and Fight against Crime’, which supports transnational cooperation projects involving law enforcement authorities, as well as NGOs.
Finally, to Question No 5. The campaign ‘Red Card to Forced Prostitution’, launched for the 2006 Football World Cup, was a good step towards raising awareness about trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation. Although the assessment carried out by Germany shows that the fear of an increase in forced prostitution and trafficking did not materialise in 2006, we welcome all initiatives aimed at informing public opinion, raising public awareness, preventing such heinous criminal phenomena and helping victims.
I wish to assure you that the Commission is wholeheartedly committed to the fight against trafficking in human beings as a brutal violation of human rights and as a very serious criminal offence, and is in particular committed to fighting forced prostitution.
Concerning the very relevant questions, which cover the whole complex issue, I will start with Question No 1. The 2005 EU action plan on best practices, standards and procedures launched by the Council contains a very ambitious array of measures to fight trafficking in human beings. On the basis of the information submitted by the Member States, our impression is that, although some results have been achieved, the situation remains unsatisfactory concerning both criminal proceedings and assistance to victims, which is of particular importance.
The Commission will be delivering a report on its implementation by the end of this year. This stocktaking exercise could form the basis for deciding what actions to pursue in the near future, and in what form.
Question No 2: the protection of victims of trafficking is a human rights duty. Furthermore, it is an essential condition for the successful prosecution of traffickers, as victims’ testimony is vital to getting convictions. Directive 2004/81/EC follows that line by providing for the granting of a reflection period allowing the victim to recover and escape the influence of traffickers, and granting a residence permit.
All Member States bound by the above Directive have officially notified full transposition of the legal instrument to the Commission, with the exception of Spain and Luxembourg. The Commission has decided to refer those two Member States to the European Court of Justice.
As regards the analysis of its substantial transposition and implementation, in January 2007 the Commission launched a study to evaluate the transposition into national law of 10 directives in the field of asylum and immigration, including this Directive.
The final findings of that study, which will soon be made available to the Commission, will provide the basis for a systematic monitoring of the existing acquis in this area, in accordance with Article 226 of the EC Treaty.
Question No 3: the Commission has also launched a study to evaluate Member States’ legislation and the situation concerning trafficking in human beings. The results of the study are expected to be delivered by the end of February 2009."@en1
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