EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/633

(2004/C 88 E/0650)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3021/03

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(14 October 2003)

Subject: Child trafficking in Afghanistan

On the basis of Unicef reports, much publicity was recently given to the problem of child trafficking in Afghanistan, which is taking on ever greater dimensions. The Afghan police intercepted a group of around 50 children, some of them only four years old, who had come from the north-eastern province of Badakhshan and were being taken by road to an unknown destination through the neighbouring province of Takhar. The authorities suspect that the boys were destined either to attend religious schools in Pakistan and Iran, or to be sold and taken to a foreign country for purposes of illegal work or sexual exploitation. A Unicef representative stated that there were also unconfirmed reports of missing children in the south of the country.

Furthermore, according to a senior figure in the Afghan police, there is evidence of Pakistani citizens entering Afghanistan, travelling to remote areas and giving money to poor villagers in exchange for their children. They promise them that their children will receive a good religious education and ‘divine enlightenment’. It is feared that the children are then taken to religious schools where they are brainwashed in order that they might swell the ranks of Pakistan's secret service and religious parties. In some cases, they are sold as labourers or become the victims of sexual exploitation.

What action will the Commission take and what programmes will it finance in order to support the central government of Afghanistan and improve policing throughout the country, so as to put an end to the exploitation of the population, and in particular to child trafficking?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2003)

The Commission is also concerned by recent reports from Afghanistan about abductions of young children, and very much welcomes the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's (Unicef) decision to send a child rights professional to Northern Afghanistan.

The Commission, and Member States are strongly engaged in building a strong judicial system and police force to ensure there is effective law enforcement across Afghanistan.

Germany is the lead donor on police reform. By December 2003 a total of 5 000 new and existing police will have received training, and Germany will be rolling out police training to the Provinces. To support this, in 2002, the Commission contributed EUR 10 million to the Law and Order Trust Fund (which pays for police salaries and training), and a further EUR 15,5 million in 2003. In addition, it has earmarked a further EUR 60 million for the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) in 2003-2004.

Italy is the lead donor for Judicial reform. To date, USD 20 million has been spent on reforming the judicial system, including refurbishing buildings in Kabul and training 120 legal professionals. For 2003, the Commission and Italy are co-financing EUR 6 million for the refurbishment of district level judicial centres and training of local staff.

The new Constitution will also be critical. The statement at the 21 September 2003 Dubai Afghanistan conference stressed the importance of enshrining Human Rights for all, including women and children. It noted ‘the EU is aware that Afghanistan recognises its obligations under International Law, especially concerning Human Rights, and looks forward to seeing these obligations respected fully in the new Constitution.’ The 19/20 October 2003 Troika to Afghanistan underlined the importance of meeting these obligations.