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European
Commission
Commission Launches EU Civil Society Platform
Against Trafficking in Humans
"The role of civil society is key in
preventing trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. Professionals
and volonteers working on anti-trafficking issues, and directly with victims,
can learn a lot from each other and can help us define concrete policies to
fight this hideous crime. The Platform will ensure that they receive the
necessary support, from the EU and from each other, and that their knowledge is
spread across
The Commission will support the Platform
by organising regular meetings for participants, to gather crucial, up-to-date
information and feedback on the main challenges that civil society
organisations are facing on the ground. A second meeting of the Platform is
provisionally scheduled for the autumn. The Commission is also looking at how
to facilitate
online communication within the platform.
Commissioner Malmström launches
the Platform today, 31 May, in
During this
first meeting, participants will reflect on the policy
priorities and future activities of the Platform, including possible
awareness-raising activities, and ways to involve organisations based in
countries outside the EU. They will also share and discuss good practices in
tackling the recruitment of victims of trafficking and addressing demand on
line.
For a full list of
the organisations participating from each EU country, see here.
Background
Working towards the elimination of trafficking in human beings cannot be achieved without a strong cooperation across the EU and beyond.
At
EU level, the EU Anti-Trafficking directive focuses on
preventing the crime, protecting the victims, prosecuting the traffickers. It
covers actions in areas such as criminal law provisions, prosecution of
offenders, victims' support, victims' rights in criminal proceedings,
prevention and monitoring of the implementation and establishing partnerships
in particular with civil society. The EU Directive takes a human rights based
approach that is gender-specific and centres on the victims and the best
interests of the child. To date, only 9 countries have fully transposed the
directive (
At a time when growing numbers of victims are being
identified in the EU (IP/13/322
and MEMO/13/331),
the
2012 EU Strategy (IP/12/619 and MEMO/12/455) sets out 40 concrete
initiatives, including strengthening the role of civil society. The establishment
of an EU Platform of civil society organisations in Member States is one of
these concrete actions.
In March 2013, the Commission invited
organisations to
apply for the participation in the Platform. The final selection addressed the
need to ensure geographical balance and the diversity of areas of expertise,
and current involvement at EU level.
Additionally, the Commission will continue to work on
carrying out the anti-trafficking strategy, with the help of Member States,
NGOs, and other stakeholders.
Useful Links
Cecilia Malmström's website
Follow Commissioner Malmström on Twitter
DG Home Affairs website
Follow DG Home Affairs on Twitter
European Commission Anti-trafficking website
Agenda for the launch of the
Platform:
Civil
society organisations from each EU country participating in the Platform:
Questions & Answers on
trafficking in human beings and the EU: MEMO/13/331
EU Strategy towards the Eradication
of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012-2016 website
Infographics: Trafficking in human
beings in the EU
Data on trafficking in human beings
(covering 2008-2010): 2013 statistical
report
Overview of rights based on EU
legislation: The victim's rights