WRITTEN QUESTION E-2562/00

by Andre Brie (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(28 July 2000)

Subject: Sex tourism and child prostitution at the EU's external border with the Czech Republic

With regard to alarming reports of a sharp increase in sex tourism and child prostitution at the German-Czech border, and in the context of the report by Eva Klamt, MEP, on the implementation of measures to combat sex tourism and child abuse (report on the Commission communication to the Council, Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, COM(1999) 262),

Can the Commission say:

1. What specific investigations have been carried out to date in order to assess the full extent of sex tourism and child prostitution at the German-Czech border?

2. What programmes and projects have been launched by the EU in order to raise public awareness on both sides of the border?

3. What specific projects and initiatives to improve living conditions for prostitutes in the border area (Germany-Czech Republic) and prevent social exclusion are being supported by the EU?

4. What specific measures are planned or are being carried out to set up and expand cross-border cooperation structures in the social, medical and legal areas in order to increase health awareness among both prostitutes and clients and further develop cooperation among the prosecuting authorities and political decision-makers?

5. What steps have been and are being taken in order to persuade the Czech Republic, as an applicant country, to take more action against sex tourism, child prostitution and trafficking in human beings?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(13 October 2000)

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member's concern about the problem of child sex tourism and child prostitution on the Union's border with the Czech Republic. The Commission will therefore continue its efforts to assist organisations that help victims, and its intiatives to combat and to prevent trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children, including child sex tourism and child pornography.

First, the exchange and incentive programme STOP should be mentioned. This programme is designed to support those responsible for the fight against trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children. This has included support to projects where organisations and the law enforcement services from the Czech Republic have participated, for instance in 1999 on capacity building and development of co-operation programmes to fight the trafficking in women and girls between Germany, the Czech Republic, and the Ukraine and on the feasibility to set up an operational database of child pornographic pictures.

Since the adoption of the STOP programme in 1996 a successively increased involvement of the candidate countries has been noted (44 % in average). Before the end of 2000, the Commission will put forward a proposal to renew the programme and this proposal will include continued emphasis on the involvement of the candidate countries in actions under the programme. Continued participation from the Czech Republic and Germany focusing on child sex tourism and child prostitution will be welcomed by the Commission.

Secondly, as specifically regards law enforcement co-operation, Europol's mandate to fight cross-border sexual exploitation needs to be highlighted. It involves ongoing working relations with the Member States' liaison officers and it is, in addition, clear for the future that co-operation agreements with candidate countries will enhance this co-operation.

Thirdly, the Daphne initiative, now succeeded by the Daphne programme should be mentioned. Daphne aims to address the widespread and growing common concern about violence against women and children. The Daphne programme has formally been opened for organisers from the candidate countries. Currently an evaluation of more that 400 applications for co-financing is taking place.

Fourthly, attention needs to be drawn to the legislative proposals that are being prepared by the Commission on trafficking in human beings and the sexual exploitation of children, with particular reference to child pornography on the Internet. These proposals will contain several elements of importance also in the fight against child sex tourism. When finally adopted the framework decision will form a part of the acquis to be implemented also in the candidate countries.