EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/305

(2004/C 84 E/0353)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0093/04

by Martin Kastler (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Subject: Trafficking in humans and prostitution in the German-Czech border area

A few months before enlargement, the prostitution of young women from Eastern Europe and Asia and illegal trafficking in humans on the German-Czech border remain an unsolved problem on a worrying scale, and one that is getting worse.

1. What follow-up measures has the Commission taken since the framework decision in 2002 on combating trafficking in human beings and growing illegal prostitution and related offences in the German-Czech border area? With regard to prostitution, experts are concerned about a drastic increase in sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis around the German-Czech border and an even more dramatic rise in HIV/AIDS cases in Central and Eastern Europe.

2. As part of which programme and with what level of funding is the Commission supporting projects to improve the health situation in the German-Czech border area in the period 2003-2006 (e.g. Streetworking, JANA, etc.)?

3. Is the Commission considering launching a new, widescale campaign or possibly a European year of action on this important subject?

4. Trafficking in human beings and prostitution account for an increasingly large proportion of crime statistics in the border area. Does the EU have the means and the ways to support the efforts of those countries affected in terms of police and judicial cooperation?

5. Are further measures specifically planned for the German-Czech border area?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 February 2004)

Trafficking in human beings is an issue of major concern for the Commission. As far as the situation along the German-Czech border is concerned, the Commission notes an increasing number of reports and statements which are drawing public attention to that particular region. Further to these reports the Commission verified the situation as regards sexually transmissible diseases (e.g. syphilis). So far, the German public health Institute, Robert Koch Institute has no information indicating a spectacular increase of these diseases at the German-Czech border. For example, the German Land Sachsen reported 71 cases from June to August 2001 compared to 75 cases from June to August 2002. The Commission will, however, continue to monitor the developments on the situation in the German-Czech border region as part of its epidemiological surveillance coordination in the EU.

With regard to trafficking in human beings, the Commission concluded in its Regular Report 2002 that the Czech Government had undertaken significant steps to address this issue. Over the past years, the Czech Government has undertaken several steps to improve the legal framework in this respect. An amendment to the Criminal Code in 2002 extends the scope of the definition of ‘trafficking’ to also cover children, and an amendment of the Criminal Proceedings Code has accelerated and simplified the proceedings involving child victims. In 2000, the Czech Government adopted a national plan combating commercial sexual abuse of children and in 2003, a national plan combating trafficking in human beings for purposes of sexual exploitation. The implementation of the plans is followed up on a regular basis. The Commission encourages the Czech authorities to take further action, in particular for ensuring an effective monitoring system, detecting and prosecuting of perpetrators. It is also important that Czech authorities ensure close co-operation between relevant police departments, internally as well as with neighbouring countries.

Under the PHARE programme the Commission has provided substantial funding to the Czech authorities for fighting organised crime and trafficking in human beings. To this effect, approximately EUR 5,5 million has been made available to the Czech Republic over the last four years. Further support can be provided after accession under the Transition Facility.

In 2003 the Commission set up an Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings in order to ensure proper implementation of the recommendations of the Brussels Declaration on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. The Commission intends to issue a communication including an action plan further to the findings of the Experts Group. This might include a wide range of measures such as awareness raising campaigns, under EU programmes like AGIS and Daphne.

On 22 July 2002 the Council adopted the decision establishing a framework programme on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (AGIS) (1). AGIS was established for the period from 2003 to 2007 with a financial reference amount of EUR 65 million. The programme supports projects in areas such as the cooperation between law enforcement authorities or other public or private organisations involved in preventing and fighting crime, organised or otherwise. This includes projects focusing on police or judicial cooperation in the area of trafficking in human beings or the sexual exploitation of children. Another important area covered by the programme is the effective protection of the interests of victims, for example victims of human trafficking, in criminal proceedings.

Further funding means are available under the Daphne Programme to combat violence against children, young people and women. This programme provided EUR 20 million for 2000-2003. The Daphne II programme will run from 2004 until 2008, with a budget of EUR 50 million which corresponds to a doubling of the annual appropriation.

In the context of the Community Support Framework for the Czech Republic and in accordance with the Commission's Further Indicative Guidelines for the Candidate Countries for the 2004-2006 programming, documents promoting a culture of ‘crime prevention’ may be co-financed, in particular by bringing together all parties involved in the prevention of crime at national, regional or local level (national judicial and law enforcement authorities, entrepreneurs, trade unions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), representatives of EU Institutions etc.). Such activities shall be co-ordinated with those in the area of justice and home affairs co-financed under the Transition Facility for Institution Building, or other national or international instruments or programmes, in order to ensure synergy and avoid any undue duplication of activities or funding.

(1) OJ L 203, 1.8.2002.