WRITTEN QUESTION E-1810/02 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Human trafficking in Bosnia.
Date: 2002-06-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU aid, EU programme, Western Balkans, economic reconstruction, prostitution, the EU's international role, trafficking in human beings, woman, young person

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livestock and fisheries development, rural

The Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme for Community-Cambodia Co-operation
approved by the Commission on 15 May 2002 will focus Community assistance on rural development (cid:1)
including food security,
finance, water management, crop
diversification, micro enterprises, vocational training and mine clearance (cid:1) and education and health. All
of these actions will contribute directly to sustainable development and poverty reduction for the most
vulnerable members of society. Cross-cutting themes in the co-operation programme include governance
and democratisation, including specific support for the ongoing decentralisation process in the country.
Assistance for trade development will also support the integration of Cambodia into the international
economy and its regulatory systems.

The Commission’s approach towards Cambodia in the field of human rights, as it is towards all countries
in the region, is to encourage and support continued progress on human rights and democratisation, and
to raise concerns where abuses occur, in the framework of the international human rights instruments.
This approach was reiterated in the May 2001 Commission Communication on the Union’s Role in
promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries (1). The Commission, together with the
diplomatic missions of the Member States, will continue to monitor human rights developments, including
the situation of the Montagnards in both Vietnam and Cambodia, and to raise concerns whenever and
wherever this is appropriate.

(1) COM(2001) 252 final.

(2003/C 192 E/019)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1810/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(24 June 2002)

Subject: Human trafficking in Bosnia

Certain information has recently come to light accompanied by a number of press reports, all pointing to
the emergence of a modern form of white slave trade in Bosnia. Tens of thousands of women from Eastern
Europe are taken there to be bought and then sold to procurers in other countries particularly the EU.
It was also revealed at an Unesco conference on human trafficking held in Thessaloniki that around 5 000
under-age girls are being sent to Russia each year from Bosnia and other countries for the white slave
trade.

Given the strong presence of armed forces in Bosnia, including large contingents from EU Member States,
its task of preserving the peace and, presumably, law and order could be seen as including action to
underpin basic respect for the rule of law and provide at least a minimum degree of protection of human
rights, for example by putting an end to trafficking in humans.

What steps have been taken by the Commission to combat this problem in Europe and in particular the
applicant countries? Does the Commission have any analytical data concerning related issues in the EU
Member States?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2002)

The Commission is aware of reports of trafficking in human beings in the Western Balkans, particularly
women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation. In this ‘trade’ Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is
both a point of transit, a final destination and to a lesser extent a source country. BiH has become
associated with this activity because it offers traffickers ‘opportunities’ such as porous borders, under-
resourced and uncoordinated police forces, a disjointed and still largely unreformed judicial system, and
not least a ready market.

International armed forces in BiH (currently around 18 000) form part of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR).
SFOR is not a policing organisation; therefore,
its
mission to secure peace and stability creates an environment in which other authorities, both local police
and international organisations, can address this crime. The United Nations’ Special Trafficking Operations

it does not directly target traffickers. Nevertheless,

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Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been an important weapon in the fight against trafficking. The
Union also contributes indirectly (cid:1) by addressing the ‘opportunities’ which traffickers exploit. Thus, in
2001 the CARDS assistance programme provided EUR 2,5 million to the BiH State Border Service helping
that country improve control of its borders. In 2002 CARDS support is directed inter alia to reform of the
prosecutorial and judicial systems in BiH. It will further contribute EUR 5 million to developing police
training, equipment and office development. Combating
capabilities
trafficking will of course also be a concern of the EU Police Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina which
will commence on 1 January 2003.

through technical assistance,

As regards combating trafficking in wider Europe, in particular in the candidate countries, Commission
policy is characterised by a focus put on the victims of this abhorrent criminal activity, on dismantling
criminal networks and on prevention. Legislative action has been taken and a Framework Decision laying
down common definitions and sanctions may soon be adopted. A Commission proposal for a Directive on
short-term stay permits for victims who co-operate against their exploiters is also under discussion in the
Council. The STOP II Programme provides support to training, research and projects promoting the
development of co-operation at Union level, and the European Forum on Prevention of Organised Crime
specifically addresses trafficking in human beings. On 28 September 2001 the Ministers of Justice and the
Interior, together with their colleagues from the candidate countries, agreed 12 measures to combat
trafficking, among them active operational co-operation, the organisation of information campaigns and
the provision of assistance to victims. These measures will form a platform for developed co-operation
with the applicant countries.

Despite the difficulty of collecting statistical data in this area, most actors involved in combating trafficking
in human beings agree that it is a growing phenomenon. At a global level, estimates reach as high as
700 000 women and children being moved across international borders by trafficking rings each year.
Some non-governmental organisations put the number significantly higher, especially if trafficking for the
purpose of labour exploitation is included. The Commission will continue to support research with a view
to improving the understanding of the phenomenon under the STOP II Programme.

(2003/C 192 E/020)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1812/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL),
Pedro Marset Campos (GUE/NGL) and Feleknas Uca (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Further persecution of author in Turkey

(24 June 2002)

The book by the Turkish writer Omar Asan with the title ‘Pontos Kulturu’ on the culture of the region of
Pontus, that was published for the first time in 1996 and was freely distributed, was suddenly banned and
seized in January 2002 after a TV broadcast. The writer, who is honoured with the ‘Abbdi Ipektsi’ prize,
has been accused of agitating for Turkish partition orally and in writing. This accusation can lead to
imprisonment for 14 months to 4 years.

these anti-democratic restrictions and trials contradict

Given that
the obligations that Turkey has
undertaken towards the European Union, does the Commission intend to make representations to the
Turkish authorities with a view to having the accusations against the writer dropped and permission being
granted for the free distribution of the book?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply it gave to Written Question E-0538/02
by Mr Xacharkos (1) on the same issue.