Video: https://youtu.be/dK6EdzyLYPA
Honourable Members of the European Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fact that in the 21st century human beings are still being trafficked as commodities is a disgrace for our societies, for our civilisation.
The recent images in Libya, for example, of the auctions where desperate people are sold and bought are shocking – but unfortunately not new.
On the ground the situation is even worse, and this is unfortunately not just a Libyan problem.
According to IOM, since 2014, the number of women and girls that arrived mainly from Nigeria, and that are potentially victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation has increased by 600%!
This reminds us of our mission to do our outmost to fight this horrible phenomenon everywhere, to prosecute those unscrupulous criminals, and to disrupt their immoral businesses.
It reminds us of the devastating experiences of children, women and men and our duty to provide the best possible protection and support.
We need to act, to join forces and coordinate closely.
In this spirit, the recent launch of the European Union, United Nations and African Union Taskforce will contribute significantly to our ongoing efforts to dismantle trafficking and criminal networks in the area.
However, as we all know very well in this room, trafficking in human beings is not happening only outside of our borders.
It is happening also inside Europe, in our societies, next to us.
And this is unacceptable.
According to the available data, 65% of the registered victims of trafficking in the EU are EU citizens.
Clearly, there are substantially more victims than those covered by official figures.
Over the years, the European Union has demonstrated a strong commitment to prosecute unscrupulous criminals, prevent the crime and, most importantly, protect the victims.
We have developed a robust legal and policy framework, which is human rights based, victims centred, gender specific and child sensitive.
There are concrete examples like operation “Dragon”, which was coordinated and supported by Europol and Frontex, and delivered a major blow to organised criminal activities, including trafficking in human beings.
A lot has been done, but we can certainly do more.
Member States need to step up their efforts and engage even more.
In this context, we presented yesterday a set of new priorities accompanied by a list of concrete measures to strengthen our ongoing actions against trafficking in human beings.
What we propose are targeted actions that will make a real difference on the ground.
We need to deal with the new modus operandi of the traffickers which continues to develop.
This is a crime that is profit driven.
A crime that generates astronomical profits for traffickers and all others who are involved in the trafficking chain.
And those profits can remain high as long as there is a culture of impunity for both perpetrators and users.
But the real fight against trafficking against human beings is not fought here, by the European Institutions.
It is on the ground, and it is Member States that need to deliver.
Member States have to effectively contribute to discourage demand for services which are the objects of exploitation of trafficking in human beings.
We also need to identify the victims early, to provide better access to and indeed ensure the implementation of their rights, by focusing, in particular, on the most vulnerable groups, including children.
Moreover we have to intensify a more coordinated and consolidated response, both within and outside the EU, between our agencies and services, but also with third key member states.
And all this while we should increase our knowledge base on the phenomenon and appropriate funding to support all these efforts.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Only if we work all together, the Presidency of the Council, Member States, the European Parliament, civil society, and our Agencies can we make a difference on the ground.
I want to stress once again that the protection of people’s lives and human rights is at the core of our work against this heinous crime.
We have to prevent this crime from happening in the first place.
This is precisely the message I would like to send from this meeting.
Human trafficking is not just a European problem.
We must do everything to eradicate this atrocity anywhere in the world.
I call on all our stakeholders and partners to join forces and work together more closely so we don’t have to witness anymore in the 21st century something which belongs in the dark past of the humanity.
Thank you