Summary: May 22, 2003: Statement by the Greek Minister of Justice H.E. Mr. Filippos Petsalnikos on behalf of the European Union: Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, 12th session, 13-22, May 2003 (Vienna)
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honour to address this session on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the countries associated with the EU, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey associate themselves with this statement.
2. With the increasing globalization, crime effective strategies and measures for protecting freedom and security may only be achieved through global coordination and efforts. In this regard the European Union fully acknowledges the paramount role of the United Nations and, in particular, the systematic, persistent and effective work performed by the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Centre for International Crime Prevention.
3. The European Union stresses the significant contribution of these institutions in combating organized crime, corruption and other serious crimes, enhancing preventive strategies and reforming criminal justice. It appreciates the work of this Commission in evidence and community-based crime and corruption prevention measures, complementing the criminal justice responses. Such techniques have indeed proved to be cost-effective in reducing crime, corruption and victimization and in promoting
the well being of the citizens in various countries.
4. The European Union would like to assure the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the Centre for International Crime Prevention that their efforts are coupled with increased activities on the level of the EU in the process of developing a European space of freedom, justice and security. In fact, we are looking forward towards intensifying the collaboration between the Centre and the Commission, on the one hand, and the Union's newly established bodies in the field of
criminal justice, on the other, and most notably with the European Union Crime Prevention Network. This network was founded two years ago and contributes to developing the various aspects of crime prevention at the EU level. It focuses its efforts on areas of a large volume of crime, in particular juvenile, urban, and drug related crime. Moreover, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto have already been ratified by many states and there is a strong
belief that soon all European states will become parties to this important UN instrument. Furthermore, the EU is committed to the successful completion of the negotiations in the last session of the UN ad hoc committee for the negotiation of a Convention against Corruption.
5. Please allow me Mr. Chairman to focus on the progress achieved on the European Union level in tackling with the intensified new forms of trafficking in human beings, especially in women and children. With good reason, this issue has been decided to be this year's prominent theme, since it affects all aspects of social structure and is linked with transnational organized crime in various ways.
6. Trafficking in human beings, which often takes the form of the facilitation of illegal immigration, the third most lucrative criminal activity (after illicit drug trade and arms trafficking), seriously violates the dignity and respect of persons. Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, debt bondage and forced labour, and other forms of exploitation are practices that are strictly prohibited under International Human Rights Law. The threat and use of physical force, illegal
confinement and the abusive working conditions that victims endure also constitute serious abuses of their rights, such as the right to liberty, security of person, freedom of movement and free choice of employment. Besides, it has serious social repercussions affecting migratory flows and spreading poverty.
Mr. Chairman,
7. With the first cases of trafficking in human beings the citizens and governments of the European Union became aware of two things: First, that sexual exploitation, involuntary prostitution, drug abuse and kidnapping are closely associated with trafficking. Second, trafficking is not only a purely economic act but it is also influenced by the emotions of the people in general. Therefore, tackling the problem of trafficking in human beings should be a partnership involving both the public and
private sector as well as the citizens. On the other hand, international cooperation should be increased in this respect.
8. More specifically, according to EU information and data, trafficking in persons is related with illegal migration and smuggling of migrants. Trafficking may aim at: a) the sexual exploitation especially of women and children, b) child pornography, c) work exploitation, and modern forms of slavery, d) removal of organs and tissues, e) trade of babies for illegal adoptions and f) recruitment for the perpetration of further crimes. In Europe, police data suggest that the trend of trafficking
with the purpose of sexual exploitation is moving from the Balkans and Central and East Europe, while trafficking with the purpose of work exploitation is moving from Asia towards Europe. On international scale, the trend of trafficking is moving mainly from Asia towards the United States, Australia and Japan. According to UNICEF, every year more than 700.000 women and more than one million children are trafficked for prostitution worldwide. It is also estimated that for each trafficked victim
the perpetrator gains more than 30.000 US$.
9. Trafficking for sexual exploitation, for example, involves: the initial recruiter who contacts or even kidnaps women, the agent in the country of origin who pays the recruiter and arranges all travel details, the escort who often passes other countries so that the authorities lose track of the victims, the brokers who meet the women upon their arrival, and the procurers who run the establishments, the government official that accepts bribes and/or closes his eyes. Moreover, trafficking
networks, moving in the same field of organized crime have incredible ramifications not only in the country of reception, but also in the country of origin, and use the same methods as in any other form of the organized crime: corruption of public officials, forgery, threats, physical force and other forms of coercion, etc.
10. Governments have the obligation to take all necessary measures to prevent and punish the trafficking in women and children and to protect the rights of trafficked victims, ensuring that they have access to redress for the harm they have suffered and preventing further abuse. In this direction, the European Conference on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, held in Brussels in September 2002, showed the determination of an increasing number of governments to tackle human
trafficking in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary manner. Its final document, the Brussels Declaration, calls for redoubled efforts in prevention and clearly puts emphasis on human beings trafficked as victims and not as perpetrators of immigration and labour regulation offences.
Mr. Chairman,
11. In light of the nature and implication of trafficking, and in addition to the efforts already made by the United Nations and the OSCE, the European Union has adopted a comprehensive scheme for preventing and combating this heinous crime. The scheme includes three framework decisions of the Council on the fight against trafficking in persons, on the status of victims in criminal procedures and for preventing the assistance of illegal entry, passing through and residence. Moreover, European
Union bodies are currently considering a proposal of the European Commission for a Council directive on the short-residence permit issued to subjects of illegal immigration or trafficking in human beings who cooperate with the competent authorities and a proposal of the Hellenic Presidency for the adoption of a draft framework decision on the prevention and control of trafficking of human organs and tissues. In addition, an expert group on trafficking will be established later this year.
12. In concluding, I would like to commend the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice for the impressive work it is accomplishing. At the same time, on both international and the regional level, more concrete steps are needed. States should be encouraged to take initiatives of cooperation in order to find solutions against trafficking, especially in the fields of: a) prevention, protection and prosecution, b) coordination for the implementation of national action plans of
transnational or regional character or implications, c) harmonization of national legislation regarding the protection of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators, and d) the adoption of monitoring mechanisms.
13. Most importantly, there is no doubt that additional measures are needed in order to reduce the vulnerability of victims to abuse and encourage these crime victims to seek assistance, protection and an effective remedy from law enforcement officials when their rights are being violated.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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