Fighting trafficking in children: what is to be done in the European Union ?
Land of no choices
© Flore-Aël Surun
- On: 16.10.2008
- In: Paris
Meeting on the initiative of 'Secours Catholique', the 'Ensemble contre la traite des êtres humains' ('United against human trafficking') collective, Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis', and the Coatnet worldwide network, experts from over thirty countries will try to:
- promote links between NGOs and public authorities in fighting human trafficking at national, European and international level, supported by existing European and international instruments, and by making recommendations at national and EU level;
- promote the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and ensure its application in the Member States;
- seek European parliamentary support to discuss the follow up of the issue during future presidencies of the European Union;
- raise awareness of public opinion on trafficking in all its forms; domestic slavery, sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ trafficking, etc.
The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings came into force on 1 February 2008. In this context, it is timely to identify the existing obstacles and to consider the changes necessary to enable an effective application of the Convention.
The Council of Europe, the European Union and other European bodies, have been taking measures to combat human trafficking at all levels for over a decade: texts, prevention, raising awareness among the Member States and key actors, campaigns, improving cooperation between the police and judiciary, etc. These actions constitute a real commitment to human rights, but they are not exhaustive, as, like the recent Convention, they put very little emphasis on children. Yet, the question of trafficking in children is particularly delicate since it concerns individuals who are by nature vulnerable and who need increased, specific protection.
For this reason, numerous treaties and conventions focus foremost on the necessity to consider the best interests of the child. The primary protection against child trafficking is the respect of children's fundamental rights as laid down by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. All children should be able to benefit from them, without discrimination: the right to a private and family life, the right not to be exploited, the right not to be victims of trafficking in all its forms, the right to be protected and looked after. They also have the right to be taken into the charge of competent authorities, to not be imprisoned or detained arbitrarily and to receive effective legal assistance.
The meeting will be closed by Jacques Barrot, Vice President of the European Commission. At the end of the day, the photo exhibition will be opened by Rachida Dati, the French Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals.
- Updated: 18.12.2008
