agreement
New EU rules are intended to improve the fight against human trafficking
The fight against human trafficking should become more effective: Representatives of the EU member states and the European Parliament have agreed to comprehensively supplement an existing directive on criminal prosecution (archive image). photo
© Stefan Sauer/dpa
Victims of human traffickers often feel forced to offer sex in exchange for money or other services – anyone who knowingly exploits this situation will have to fear prosecution across the EU in the future.
It is also planned to include forced marriages, illegal adoptions and forced surrogacy in the list of forms of exploitation within the meaning of the directive. This is intended to ensure that EU member states take action against as many forms of exploitation as possible within the framework of their national legal systems.
Offenses should be punished with a maximum prison sentence of at least five years. This means that penal rules that only provide for penalties of up to two years for such offenses would no longer be possible. For particularly serious crimes, prison sentences of at least ten years should be imposed.
Large number of unreported cases
According to 2022 data from the European Commission, more than 7,000 people become victims of human trafficking in the EU every year. Since many crimes are not recorded, the number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher. The annual cost of human trafficking in the EU was estimated at 2.7 billion euros at the time. According to the information, most of the victims are women and girls, but men are also affected – particularly through exploitation of their labor.
Belgian Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt said of the evening’s agreement that the revised directive would enable EU states to take better action against terrible crimes. “Human trafficking is a crime that requires significant victims,” he commented.
Before the new directive can come into force, the agreements must be confirmed by the Council of EU Member States and the plenary session of the European Parliament. But this is usually a formality.