On Tuesday 29 June, the Council of Europe has an opportunity to provide victims of trafficking with such vital protection as reflection periods and short-term residency permits with the discussion of a European Convention on human trafficking.
The Council of Europe's Ad Hoc Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) is meeting to discuss the draft of the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings, formed by the European Commission, is urging that the convention includes a reflection period of at least three months to all people suspected of being trafficked, regardless of whether the person agrees to co-operate in an investigation or prosecution, followed by a renewable temporary residence permit.
“It is crucial that when a person is identified as having been trafficked, they are immediately allowed to stay in the country for at least three months, allowing them time to assess their situation and to receive specialist help and support in a safe environment. This support should be based solely on their being the victim of a terrible crime”, Mary Cunneen Director of Anti-Slavery International and member of the Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings says.
This breathing period is vital not only to protecting the trafficked person, but also to disrupt the traffickers' network. In Europe, women, children and men are trafficked from countries within the EU, neighbouring countries, Asia, Africa, and former Soviet republics into sexual exploitation and forced labour, including domestic slavery, construction work and agricultural labour.
Trafficking is the fastest growing form of slavery today. According to the latest US Government report an estimated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year forced through coercion, deception and violence into slavery.
BACKGROUND
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers mandated the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) to draft a European Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings by the end of 2004. The Committee of Ministers has specifically requested the CAHTEH to focus "on the human rights of victims of trafficking" and "design a comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of trafficked persons and witnesses", as well as on prevention, investigation, prosecution and international co-operation.
In order to fulfil its mandate, the CAHTEH must ensure that the provisions of the treaty that it proposes enhance the protection of the rights of trafficked people. This will require it to propose a text which improves on the provisions set out in existing international treaties and many existing state laws, and requires states to take particular measures to protect and respect the rights of trafficked persons.
If it succeeds in doing this, the Council of Europe will fill a significant gap, as today there are no international treaties on trafficking that comprehensively address states' obligations to respect and protect the rights of trafficked persons.
The Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings was formed by the European Commission to provide a report on measures to take forward recommendations of the Brussels Declaration, and to issue opinions.
Anti-Slavery International
Thomas Clarkson House
The Stableyard
Broomgrove Road
London SW9 9TL
UK
http://www.antislavery.org
Please also see:
Council of Europe:
Action on trafficking in human beings
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/trafficking/
The Council of Europe's Ad Hoc Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) is meeting to discuss the draft of the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings, formed by the European Commission, is urging that the convention includes a reflection period of at least three months to all people suspected of being trafficked, regardless of whether the person agrees to co-operate in an investigation or prosecution, followed by a renewable temporary residence permit.
“It is crucial that when a person is identified as having been trafficked, they are immediately allowed to stay in the country for at least three months, allowing them time to assess their situation and to receive specialist help and support in a safe environment. This support should be based solely on their being the victim of a terrible crime”, Mary Cunneen Director of Anti-Slavery International and member of the Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings says.
This breathing period is vital not only to protecting the trafficked person, but also to disrupt the traffickers' network. In Europe, women, children and men are trafficked from countries within the EU, neighbouring countries, Asia, Africa, and former Soviet republics into sexual exploitation and forced labour, including domestic slavery, construction work and agricultural labour.
Trafficking is the fastest growing form of slavery today. According to the latest US Government report an estimated 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year forced through coercion, deception and violence into slavery.
BACKGROUND
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers mandated the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) to draft a European Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings by the end of 2004. The Committee of Ministers has specifically requested the CAHTEH to focus "on the human rights of victims of trafficking" and "design a comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of trafficked persons and witnesses", as well as on prevention, investigation, prosecution and international co-operation.
In order to fulfil its mandate, the CAHTEH must ensure that the provisions of the treaty that it proposes enhance the protection of the rights of trafficked people. This will require it to propose a text which improves on the provisions set out in existing international treaties and many existing state laws, and requires states to take particular measures to protect and respect the rights of trafficked persons.
If it succeeds in doing this, the Council of Europe will fill a significant gap, as today there are no international treaties on trafficking that comprehensively address states' obligations to respect and protect the rights of trafficked persons.
The Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings was formed by the European Commission to provide a report on measures to take forward recommendations of the Brussels Declaration, and to issue opinions.
Anti-Slavery International
Thomas Clarkson House
The Stableyard
Broomgrove Road
London SW9 9TL
UK
http://www.antislavery.org
Please also see:
Council of Europe:
Action on trafficking in human beings
http://www.coe.int/T/E/human_rights/trafficking/