Proposal for a COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION on combating trafficking in human beings

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. INTRODUCTION

On 24 February 1997 the Council adopted a Joint Action concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children [1]. The Joint Action covers a wide range of topics such as definitions (without prejudice to more specific definitions in the Member States' legislation), jurisdiction, criminal procedure, assistance to victims and police and judicial co-operation. Through the Joint Action, the Member States undertook to review their existing laws with a view to providing that trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children were criminal offences.

[1] OJ L 063, 4.3.1997

Since the adoption of the Joint Action in 1997, actions and initiatives against trafficking in human beings have developed considerably in number and in substance at the level of the European Union as well as at local, regional and international level in a wider context. That said, the continuing divergence of legal approaches in the Member States clearly demonstrates the need for further action against the menace of trafficking.

Furthermore, Article 29 of the Amsterdam Treaty provides an explicit reference to trafficking in human beings. The Vienna Action Plan [2] and the Tampere European Council made a clear call for further legislative action against trafficking. Legislative action is also indicated in the Commission's Scoreboard [3]. At the wider international level, one of the most significant developments has been the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime with its two supplementing protocols targeting smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons. The Commission has participated actively in the elaboration of these instruments and important elements of the protocol on trafficking are reflected in this proposal, albeit taken further.

[2] OJ C 19, 23.1.1999

[3] COM (2000) 167 final, 24.3.2000

The specific character of an area of freedom, security and justice to be created within the European Union should enable the Member States to develop a Framework Decision in which certain aspects of criminal law and judicial co-operation are taken further than has been possible through instruments available before the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty and instruments developed at a wider international level. A Framework Decision should, for instance, address more precisely, issues such as criminalisation, penalties and other sanctions, aggravating circumstances, jurisdiction and extradition.

In conclusion, the Commission believes that a further response to the issue of trafficking is required at the level of the European Union. Use of a Framework Decision, an instrument introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty, will reinforce a common approach of the European Union in this area and fill gaps in existing legislation. The need for a clear common approach on trafficking should also be viewed against the background of the future enlargement of the European Union. The Commission has therefore, as announced in the Scoreboard, decided to put forward a proposal for a Framework Decision on the approximation of the criminal laws of the Member States, including penalties, concerning trafficking in human beings.

The proposal also includes provisions on horizontal judicial issues such as jurisdiction and co-operation between Member States. The proposal covers trafficking in human beings for the purposes of labour and sexual exploitation, not including sexual exploitation of children and child pornography which will be covered by a separate proposal. The separation into two Framework Decisions will allow the Council to focus on trafficking in human beings for the purposes of labour as well as sexual exploitation.

2. TRAFFICKING AND SMUGGLING

The Commission is of the view that the division into one United Nations-protocol on trafficking in human beings and one United Nations-protocol on smuggling of migrants highlights the complexity of different forms of criminal movements of people that are operated by international criminal organisations. While smuggling of migrants could be said to constitute a crime against the state and often involves a mutual interest between the smuggler and the smuggled, trafficking in human beings constitute a crime against a person and involves an exploitative purpose.

The Commission is therefore of the view that the French initiatives [4] on facilitation of unauthorised entry, movement and residence are related to smuggling of migrants. This proposal, on the other hand, relates to trafficking in persons with its characteristics. The Commission's conclusion is that the French initiative on facilitation and this proposal on trafficking complement each other and that they both contribute to a European-wide fight against severe types of criminal activities by international criminal organisations.

[4] OJ C 253, 4.9.2000, proposals not yet adopted

1. LEGAL BASIS

This proposal for a Framework Decision concerns approximation of the laws and regulations of the Member States in the area of police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. It also to a substantial part concerns "minimum rules relating to the constituent elements of criminal acts and to penalties in the field of organised crime". The legal basis indicated in the preamble of the proposal is therefore Articles 29 with an explicit reference to trafficking in human beings, 31(e) and 34(2)(b) of the Treaty on European Union. The proposal will not entail financial implications for the budget of the European Communities.

4. THE FRAMEWORK DECISION: ARTICLES

Article 1 (Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation)

Article 1 puts on the Member States an obligation to ensure that trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation is punishable.

Trafficking is defined in the Article to include the recruitment, transportation, or transfer of a person, including harbouring and subsequent reception of and the exchange of control over him or her for the purpose of exploiting him or her in the production of goods or provision of services. This definition reflects the key elements of one of the parts constituting the definition of trafficking in the United Nations-protocol on trafficking in human beings.

Labour exploitation is defined in the Article to be an infringement of labour standards governing working conditions, salaries and health and safety. The reference to labour market regulations is in no way intended to affect the labour market regulations of the Member States. It is intended to establish a benchmark on the basis of existing regulations for what is an acceptable standard on the labour market. It should be underlined that this definition must be viewed upon in conjunction with the definition of trafficking and qualifying elements such as coercion. In addition the offence includes a requirement that the fundamental rights of the person have been and continue to be suppressed, for instance the rights of the Charter of Fundamental Rights proclaimed by the Nice European Council. This requirement includes also the perspective of the victim's fundamental rights and not only the conduct of the perpetrator as in the qualifying elements mentioned below. It also expresses a requirement for a continuing suppression of the fundamental rights of a person.

As regards the elements qualifying trafficking a person for the purpose of labour exploitation as a criminal offence, points (a) and (b) corresponds to the UN-protocol on trafficking. Points (c) and (d), which partly corresponds to the United Nations-protocol, cover forms of taking advantage or exercising pressure when a person is trafficked. The objective is to ensure a comprehensive coverage of criminal conduct. This includes practices such as debt bondage in which a person has no choice but to submit to the pressure. It also includes the abuse of the vulnerability of persons, for instance of persons being mentally or physically disabled or of persons illegally remaining on the territory of a Member State who are often in a situation in which they have no choice or perceive to have no choice, but to submit to the exploitation. These latter elements ensures also that the offence take the specific situation of the victim into account and not only the conduct performed by the trafficker.

The criminal offence described does not include an explicit requirement for the victim to cross a border. The reasoning here is following the Europol Convention and the United Nations-protocol on trafficking, i.e. the context of trafficking in human beings refers generally to international organised crime, but it is not necessary for the victim itself to cross a border. Moreover, the key elements of the offence of trafficking should focus on the exploitative purpose, rather than on the "movement" across a border. If the requirement of a cross-border element would be maintained, there would be a paradox in that a European citizen forced into prostitution and trafficked within its own country, would be less protected than citizens from third countries would. The approach not to include a cross-border requirement also means that the proposal cover "re-trafficking" within the country of destination, which in many cases form an integral part of the trafficking chain/operation.

Article 2 (Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation)

Article 2 puts on the Member States an obligation to ensure that trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation is punishable. The Article corresponds to the structure and content of Article 1.

Sexual exploitation includes the purposes to exploit a person in prostitution, in pornographic performances or in the production of pornographic material.

Article 3 (Instigation, aiding, abetting and attempt)

Article 3 puts an obligation on Member States to ensure that instigation of, aiding, abetting and attempt to commit trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is punishable.

Article 4 (Penalties and aggravating circumstances)

Article 4 concerns penalties and aggravated circumstances. Paragraph 1 indicates that the offences referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 shall be punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, including by terms of imprisonment with a maximum penalty that is not less than six years. These penalties are sufficient to include trafficking in human beings within the scope of other instruments already adopted for the purposes of enhancing police and judicial co-operation in the European Union against organised crime such as the 98/699/JHA Joint Action [5] on money laundering, the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of the instrumentalities and the proceeds from crime and the 98/733/JHA Joint Action [6] on making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation.

[5] OJ L 333/1, 9.12.1998

[6] OJ L 351/1, 29.12.1998

As trafficking in human beings involves very serious criminal conduct, paragraph 2 sets out that Member States shall ensure that when aggravating circumstances apply the offences shall be punishable by terms of imprisonment with a maximum penalty that is not less than ten years. The Commission's proposal to have ten years as a minimum maximum penalty when aggravating circumstances are involved builds on the view that possible penalties for trafficking should reflect the seriousness of the crime and have a strong deterrent effect.

Three circumstances that typically should qualify the trafficking offence as aggravated are listed. These circumstances represent a minimum list, but are without prejudice to additional definitions in the legislation of the Member States. A further explanation of what is meant by these circumstances for the purposes of this Framework Decision is:

-«generates substantial proceeds» could, where applicable, be construed in analogy with aggravated «pimping» offences and should at least include the enrichment of the perpetrator of the criminal activities;

-«is committed within the framework of a criminal organisation» should be construed in accordance with Article 1 of the 98/733/JHA Joint Action on making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation in the Member States of the European Union [7];

[7] OJ L 351/1 29.12.1998

-«involves particular ruthlessness» is aimed at targeting the level of force or pressure exercised by the trafficker and the level of disregard of the health and integrity of the victim, physical as well as mental; the more serious force, pressure or disregard, the more severe the offence.

Article 5 (Liability of legal persons)

It is necessary also to cover the situation in which legal persons are involved in the trafficking. Article 5 therefore provides provisions for holding a legal person liable for the offences envisaged by Articles 1, 2, and 3, committed for their benefit by any person, acting either individually or as a part of the organ of the legal person. The term liability should be construed so as to include either criminal or civil liability (see also Article 6 on sanctions).

In addition, paragraph 2 provides that a legal person can also be held liable when the lack of supervision or control by a person in a position to exercise control, has rendered possible the commission of the offence for its benefit. Paragraph 3 indicates that legal proceedings against a legal person do not preclude parallel legal proceedings against a natural person and paragraph 4 definesa legal person for the purpose of this Framework Decision.

Article 6 (Sanctions on legal persons)

Article 6 sets out a requirement for sanctions on legal persons. It requires effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, where the minimum obligation is to impose criminal or non-criminal fines. Other sanctions that typically could apply to legal persons are also indicated.

Article 7 (Jurisdiction and prosecution)

The international nature of the trafficking offence implies that an efficient legal response requires procedural provisions on jurisdiction and on extradition which are as clear and as far reaching as national legal systems will allow in order to guard against persons evading prosecution.

Paragraph 1 establishes a series of criteria conferring jurisdiction on national enforcement and judicial authorities to prosecute and examine cases involving the offences referred to in this Framework Decision. A Member State shall establish its jurisdiction in three situations:

(a) where the offence is committed in whole or in part on its territory, irrespective of the status or the nationality of the person involved (territoriality principle), or

(b) where the offender is a national (active personality principle). The criterion of the status as a national means that jurisdiction can be established regardless of the lex locus delicti. It is up to Member States to prosecute for offences committed abroad. This is particularly important for Member States which do not extradite their own nationals, or

(c) where the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established in the territory of that Member State.

However, as not all Member States' legal traditions recognise extraterritorial jurisdiction for all types of criminal offences, Member States may, subject to the obligation under paragraph 1, limit their jurisdiction to the first of these three situations. In addition, if they do not do so, they can still make provisions the applicability of paragraphs 1(b) and 1(c) to cases where the offence has been committed outside the territory of that Member State.

Paragraph 3 takes account of the fact that some Member States do not extradite their nationals and seeks to ensure that persons suspected of having committed trafficking offences do not evade prosecution because extradition is refused in principle on the grounds that they are nationals of that state. A Member State which does not extradite its own nationals must, in accordance with paragraph 3, take the necessary measures to establish its jurisdiction over and to prosecute, where appropriate, the offences concerned when committed by its own nationals outside its territory. Paragraph 4 says that Member States shall inform the General Secretariat and the Commission where they decide to apply paragraph 2.

Article 8 (Victims)

In the European Union's approach against trafficking in human beings, special importance has been attached to assistance to the victims. In many cases, victims of trafficking have been severely abused by the trafficker. The Commission is therefore of the view that an Article on victims should be included in this Framework Decision. Social assistance for children in order to help them overcome the consequences of such events and enable them to reintegrate, inter alia, into the labour market, forms part of the overall policy.

Article 9 (Co-operation between Member States)

The purpose of Article 9 is to take advantage of instruments on international judicial co-operation to which Member States are parties and which should apply to the matters covered in this Framework Decision. For instance, arrangements on mutual legal assistance and extradition are contained in a number of bilateral and multilateral agreements as well as conventions of the European Union. An additional purpose with this Article is to facilitate the exchange of information.

Paragraph 1 requires Member States to afford each other mutual assistance to the widest extent possible in judicial proceedings on trafficking in human beings. For the situation where a positive conflict of jurisdiction occurs, paragraph 2 establishes that Member States shall consult one another with a view to co-ordinating their action to prosecute effectively. The paragraph also indicates that appropriate use shall be made of existing co-operation mechanisms such as the liaison magistrates [8] and the European Judicial Network [9]. Paragraph 3 stresses the importance of having appointed points of contact for the purpose of exchanging information. It explicitly indicates that Europol shall be properly involved. Paragraph 4 provides for the circulation of information on which points of contacts have been appointed for the purpose of exchanging information pertaining to trafficking in human beings.

[8] OJ L 105, 27.4.1996

[9] OJ L 191/4, 7.7.1998

Article 10 (Implementation)

Article 10 concerns the implementation and follow-up of this Framework Decision. It establishes that the Member States shall take the necessary measures to comply with this Framework Decision not later than 31 December 2002. It also establishes that the Member States shall, by the same date, transmit to the General Secretariat of the Council and to the Commission the provisions transposing into their national legislation the obligations imposed on them under this Framework Decision. On the basis of a report established on the basis of this information and on a written report from the Commission, the Council will by 30 June 2004 assess the extent to which Member States have taken the necessary measures to comply with this Framework Decision.

Article 11 (Repeal of the Joint Action of February 1997)

Article 11 repeals the Joint Action of February 1997. The Joint Action was to be implemented by 31 December 1999 and on this date the Member States were also to report to Secretariat General of the Council on the proposals they have made with a view for their adoption to fulfil their obligations under the Joint Action. This Framework Decision together with the Framework Decision on sexual exploitation of children and child pornography cover to a large extent the same issues. Although it might follow from general principles of law that the Joint Action is obsolete and no longer have any legal consequences, the Commission is of the view that it is important to clarify that this Framework Decision repeals the Joint Action.

Article 12 (Entry into force)

Article 12 indicates that this Framework Decision will enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

2001/0024 (CNS)

Proposal for a COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION on combating trafficking in human beings

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 29, 31(e) and 34(2)(b) thereof;

Having regard to the proposal of the Commission;

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament;

Whereas:

(1) The Action Plan of the Council and the Commission on how to best implement the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam on an area of freedom, security and justice [10], the Tampere European Council on 15-16 October 1999, the Santa Maria da Feira European Council on 19-20 June 2000, the Commission in the Scoreboard [11] and the European Parliament in its Resolution of 19 May 2000 [12] indicate or call for legislative action against trafficking in human beings, including common definitions, incriminations and sanctions;

[10] OJ C 19, 23.1.1999

[11] COM (2000) 167 final, p. 2.4 Management of migration flows and p. 4.3 Fight against certain forms of crime

[12] A5-0127/2000

(2) The Joint Action of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children [13] needs to be followed by further legislative action addressing the divergence of legal approaches in the Member States and contributing to the development of an efficient judicial and law enforcement co-operation against trafficking in human beings;

[13] OJ L 063, 4.3.1997

(3) Trafficking in human beings constitute serious violations of fundamental human rights and human dignity and involves ruthless practices such as the abuse and deception of vulnerable persons, as well as the use of violence, threats, debt bondage and coercion;

(4) The important work performed by international organisations, in particular the UN, must be complemented by that of the European Union;

(5) It is necessary that the serious criminal offence trafficking in human beings be addressed by a comprehensive approach in which constituent elements of criminal law common to all Member States, including effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, form an integral part together with the widest possible judicial co-operation; in accordance with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality this Framework Decision confines itself to the minimum required in order to achieve those objectives at European level and does not go beyond what is necessary for that purpose;

(6) It is necessary to introduce sanctions on perpetrators sufficiently severe to allow for trafficking in human beings to be included within the scope of instruments already adopted for the purpose of combating organised crime such as the 98/699/JHA Joint Action [14] on money laundering, the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of the instrumentalities and the proceeds from crime and the 98/733/JHA Joint Action [15] on making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organisation;

[14] OJ L 333/1, 9.12.1998

[15] OJ L 351/1, 29.12.1998

(7) This Framework Decision should contribute to the fight against and prevention of trafficking in human beings by complementing the instruments adopted by the Council such as the 96/700/JHA Joint Action [16] establishing an incentive and exchange programme for combating trade in human beings and sexual exploitation of children (STOP), the 96/748/JHA Joint Action [17] extending the mandate given to the Europol Drugs Unit, the Decision of the Council and the European Parliament 293/2000/EC [18] on the Daphne programme on preventive measures to fight violence against children, young persons and women, the Joint Action 98/428/JHA [19] on the creation of a European Judicial Network, the Joint Action 96/277/JHA [20], concerning a framework for the exchange of liaison magistrates to improve judicial co-operation between the Member States of the European Union and the Joint Action 98/427/JHA [21] on good practice in mutual legal assistance in criminal matters;

[16] OJ L 322, 12.12.1996

[17] OJ L 342 31.12.1996

[18] OJ L 34 9.2 2000

[19] OJ L 191/4 7.7.1998

[20] OJ L 105, 27.4.1996

[21] OJ L 191, 7.7.1998

HAS ADOPTED THIS FRAMEWORK DECISION:

Article 1 Offences concerning trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation

Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the recruitment, transportation or transfer of a person, including harbouring and subsequent reception and the exchange of control over him or her is punishable, where the fundamental rights of that person have been and continue to be suppressed for the purpose of exploiting him or her in the production of goods or provision of services in infringement of labour standards governing working conditions, salaries and health and safety, and:

(a) use is made of coercion, force or threats, including abduction, or

(b) use is made of deceit or fraud, or

(c) there is a misuse of authority, influence or pressure, or

(d) there is another form of abuse.

Article 2 Offences concerning trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation

Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the recruitment, transportation or transfer of a person, including harbouring and subsequent reception and the exchange of control over him or her is punishable, where the purpose is to exploit him or her in prostitution or in pornographic performances or in production of pornographic material, and:

(a) use is made of coercion, force or threats, including abduction, or

(b) use is made of deceit or fraud, or

(c) there is a misuse of authority, influence or pressure, or

(d) there is another form of abuse.

Article 3 Instigation, aiding, abetting, and attempt

Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the instigation of, aiding, abetting or attempt to commit an offence referred to in Articles 1 and 2 is punishable.

Article 4 Penalties and aggravating circumstances

1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, including by terms of imprisonment with a maximum penalty that is not less than six years.

2. Without prejudice to additional definitions in national legislation, each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 is punishable by terms of imprisonment with a maximum penalty that is not less than ten years when:

- it involves particular ruthlessness, or

- it generates substantial proceeds, or

- it is committed within the framework of a criminal organisation.

Article 5 Liability of legal persons

1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that legal persons can be held liable for an offence referred to in article 1, 2 and 3, committed for their benefit by any person, acting either individually or as part of an organ of the legal person, who has a leading position within the legal person, based on:

(a) a power of representation of the legal person, or

(b) an authority to take decisions on behalf of the legal person, or

(c) an authority to exercise control within the legal person.

2. Apart from the cases already provided for in paragraph 1, each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that legal persons can be held liable where the lack of supervision or control by a person referred to in paragraph 1 have rendered possible the commission of an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 for the benefit of that legal person by a person under its authority.

3. Liability of legal persons under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not exclude criminal proceedings against natural persons who are perpetrators, instigators or accessories in an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3.

4. For the purpose of this Framework Decision legal person shall mean any entity having such status under the applicable law, except for States or other public bodies in the exercise of State authority and for public international organisations.

Article 6 Sanctions on legal persons

Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to ensure that a legal person held liable pursuant to Article 5 is punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, which shall include criminal or non-criminal fines and may include other sanctions, such as:

(a) exclusion from entitlement to public benefits or aid, or

(b) temporary or permanent disqualification from the practice of commercial activities, or

(c) placing under judicial supervision, or

(d) a judicial winding-up order, or

(e) temporary or permanent closure of establishments which have been used for committing the offence.

Article 7 Jurisdiction and prosecution

1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to establish its jurisdiction over an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 where:

(a) the offence is committed in whole or in part within its territory, or

(b) the offender is one of its nationals, or

(c) the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established in the territory of that Member State.

2. A Member State may decide that it will not apply or that it will apply only in specific cases or circumstances, the jurisdiction rules set out in paragraphs 1 (b) and 1 (c) as far as the offence is committed outside its territory.

3. A Member State which, under its laws, does not extradite its own nationals shall take the necessary measures to establish its jurisdiction over and to prosecute, where appropriate, an offence referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3 when it is committed by its own nationals outside its territory.

4. Member States shall inform the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission accordingly where they decide to apply paragraph 2, where appropriate with an indication of the specific cases or circumstances in which the decision applies.

Article 8 Victims

Each Member State shall ensure that a victim of an offence provided for in this Framework Decision is given adequate legal protection and standing in judicial proceedings. In particular Member States' shall ensure that criminal investigations and judicial proceedings do not cause any additional damage for a victim.

Article 9 Co-operation between Member States

1. In accordance with the applicable conventions, multilateral or bilateral agreements or arrangements, Member States shall afford each other mutual assistance to the widest extent possible in respect of judicial proceedings relating to the offences provided for in this Framework Decision.

2. Where several Member States have jurisdiction over the offences envisaged by this Framework Decision, those States shall consult one another with a view to co-ordinating their action in order to prosecute effectively. Appropriate use shall be made of existing co-operation mechanisms, such as the liaison magistrates and the European Judicial Network.

3. For the purpose of exchange of information relating to the offences referred to in Articles 1, 2, and 3, Member States shall establish operational points of contact or make use of existing co-operation mechanisms. In particular, Member States shall ensure that Europol, within the limits of its mandate, is fully involved.

4. Each Member State shall inform the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission of its appointed point of contact for the purpose of exchanging information pertaining to trafficking in human beings. The General Secretariat shall inform all other Member States about the appointed points of contact.

Article 10 Implementation

1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to comply with this Framework Decision on 31 December 2002 at the latest.

2. By the same date, the Member States shall transmit to the General Secretariat of the Council and to the Commission the text of the provisions transposing into their national law the obligations imposed on them under this Framework Decision. The Council will, by 30 June 2004 at the latest, on the basis of a report established on the basis of this information and a written report transmitted by the Commission, assess the extent to which Member States have taken the necessary measures in order to comply with this Framework Decision.

Article 11 Repeal of the 97/154/JHA Joint Action

The Joint Action of 24 February adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children 1997 is repealed by this Framework Decision.

Article 12 Entry into force

This Framework Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President