WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Trafficking in children between Moldova and Italy

On 2 November 2000 the Italian magazine Panorama revealed the shameful facts about trafficking in women from Moldova and Ukraine, thousands of whom arrive in Italy every day. After becoming prostitutes the young women are forced to become pregnant and, once they have given birth, are obliged to give up their babies for adoption. The beneficiaries of the trafficking are Italian families who can afford it. The turnover of this trafficking in human beings is estimated at Lit 8 thousand billion per year. The fact that the law on international adoptions is highly restrictive and often makes prospective adoptive parents wait a very long time is no justification for this trade. It is extremely serious and a source of shame for the West.

Can the Commission say:

1. whether it is aware of this revolting trade;

2. whether it intends to call on the competent authorities of the Member States to tackle the problem more decisively, if necessary with the assistance of Europol, since this appalling crime comes under their jurisdiction;

3. what political measures it intends to adopt vis-à-vis the countries of Eastern Europe, in this case Moldova although unfortunately the phenomenon is widespread in other countries too to ensure that they combat organised crime more effectively, since it seems to have a more efficient network of links than the European police forces have;

4. whether it does not consider it desirable for the Member States to cooperate in offering assistance to the victims, who find themselves in such appalling situations?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Over the past years, the Union has developed a comprehensive policy to fight against trafficking in human beings in general and in women and children in particular. This policy is characterised by the central focus put on the victims of trafficking and on the need to involve all the persons responsible for the fight against this degrading form of violation of human rights and human dignity. The Conclusions of the Tampere (15-16 October 1999) and the Feira (19-20 June 2000) European Councils underlined the importance of the external dimension within the Union's activities in the field of justice and home affairs if an area of freedom, security and justice is to be achieved.

Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine have been identified as source and transit countries of trafficked women and are, in particular in the case of Moldova, exporters to the sex industry. Women's hopes for a better life are abused and they are lured by false promises. The recruitment proceedings vary from locals, friends and relatives pursuading women to leave their homes for better opportunities, to advertisements in the newspapers and on the Internet for various kinds of legal agencies. In the latter case, illegal activities are covered by legal activities, which is typical for organised criminality.

The Commission is aware of these challenges and has started to tackle them in relation to the above mentioned TACIS-countries by using a regional approach. At first a strategy to fight these human rights violations has been developed. Three key issues have been identified as being crucial: prevention measures such as information campaigns focussing on potential victims, training of law enforcement staff and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), etc.; protection, rehabilitation and reintegration support to victims such as temporary accommodation shelters, legal advice, etc.; repression such as supporting countries to create appropriate legislation in order to prosecute traffickers and their supporters and training and equipment support of judicial and law enforcement entities.

Therefore, emphasis is given to comprehensive multi-annual projects with the objective of reaching the outlined goals:

- Improvement of the relevant legislation and its correspondence with international standards which will be a crucial point in achieving positive long-term effects;

- Training will be provided for judicial and law enforcement officials responsible for combating trafficking in women/children as well as NGOs who are dealing with trafficked victims, in close cooperation with national authorities in order to qualify the staff to carry out their tasks professional and effectively;

- Equipment and related facilities for law enforcement agencies and related services as well as for NGOs will be provided, aiming at the development of electronic (information and search) data bases and supporting the relevant staff in carrying out their duties.

At the end of 2000, the Commission launched feasibility studies on the subject in Belarus and Moldova. The assessment has already been carried out and the study reports have been delivered. Project implementation focusing on all three identified cooperation areas might start in late autumn 2001 if there are not unexpected delays.

Furthermore, the Commission is currently preparing a feasibility study on the subject in the Russian Federation. This project will be a joint Union/Russia/United States (EU/RUS/US) project within the Transatlantic Agenda.

The most advanced project has already been ongoing in Ukraine since January 2001 and is being implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Close cooperation takes place with Organization for security and cooperation in Europe/Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) which currently implements, together with the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine, a project which has established a coordinating body, the National Coordination Council for Prevention of Trafficking in People and is facilitating its work against trafficking in women.

Europol already has the competence to combat trafficking in human beings according to the Europol Convention of 26 July 1995 and a subsequent Joint Action supplementing the definition on trafficking in human beings in the Convention. Trafficking in human beings is one of the priorities of Europol and a co-operation agreement has been reached with Interpol. Furthermore, the Union's Police Chiefs Operational Task Force discussed the subject at its meeting on 8-9 March 2001. They invited Europol to organise expert meetings, elaborate threat assessments and open Analysis Work Files. The Task Force also encouraged the development of specialised units and joint investigation teams in co-operation with Europol.

Furthermore, the adoption of the STOP II Programme on 28 June 2001 will allow for continued support to projects on trafficking and the workshop on prevention of trafficking in human beings within the context of the European Forum on Prevention of Organised Crime will continue its work during the second half of 2001. There are also prospects for a final adoption of a Framework Decision on approximation of the constituent elements of criminal law and penalties.

On the specific issue on protection of victims, the Commission intends to put forward a legislative proposal on temporary permits of stay for victims of trafficking that are prepared to co-operate in investigations and proceedings against their exploiters. Italy has already included in its new law on immigration provisions for the protection of victims of trafficking, whether or not they are prepared to co-operate in investigations and proceedings. Italy also develops programmes for the social and economic rehabilitation of the victims with national fundings and contribution from European Social Fund.