WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/01 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Trafficking in children between Moldova and Italy.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Europol, Italy, Moldova, fight against crime, help for victims, organised crime, position of women, prostitution, trafficking in human beings

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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29.8.2002

It should also be noted that the recently-established emergency measures and other related measures for
cod and hake in Community waters have been undertaken in close contact with industry and the
Commission intends to continue this process in similar close contact.

To further the Commission’s thinking on this topic, the Commission has initiated further scientific
research, the results of which will be available in the near future.

(2002/C 205 E/005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Trafficking in children between Moldova and Italy

(31 July 2001)

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 8 although unfortunately the phenomenon is widespread in other countries too 8 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.

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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: 8 prevention
measures such as information campaigns focussing on potential victims, training of law enforcement staff
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), etc.; 8 protection, rehabilitation and reintegration support to
victims such as temporary accommodation shelters, legal advice, etc.; 8 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:

8 Improvement of the relevant legislation and its correspondence with international standards which will

be a crucial point in achieving positive long-term effects;

8 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;

8 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.