Awareness-raising of judicial authorities concerning trafficking in human beings - The European Legal Framework to Fight Trafficking in Human Beings

Publishers International Office for Migration Document authors Rijken Conny Zones Europe Type Report / Study / Data Date of publication 2005 Document main thematic Child Trafficking Total pages 34

This report aims to give an overview of the instruments and developments in the fight against trafficking in human beings (THB) within Europe. Recently, challenges have come to light regarding the fight against trafficking. The first challenge can be found in the enlargement of the European Union with ten central and eastern European countries. THB has a serious impact in these countries, since it concerns countries of destination, transit and origin. Furthermore the new Constitutional Treaty for the EU constitutes another development which might enhance criminal co-operation within the EU and consequently tackles THB. Finally one can notice the increase of attention for victims which is reflected in the human rights approach of some of the (proposed) instruments. This approach puts its main focus on the human rights of trafficked persons, in addition to border measures and the focus on the prosecution of those suspected of THB, which were so far the main concerns of the countries involved. This report takes the view that a breach of human rights is inherent to the crime of THB. On the basis of several international provisions (for instance Article 6 CEDAW, Article 8 ICCPR, Article 4 ECHR) states are obliged to undertake appropriate measures in order to provide the protection foreseen in these provisions.