Trafficking in Human Beings

24.3.2017

Question for oral answer O-000024/2017
to the Commission
Rule 128
Barbara Lochbihler, Bodil Valero, Terry Reintke, Judith Sargentini, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
Malin Björk, Cornelia Ernst, Barbara Spinelli, Marina Albiol Guzmán, Martina Anderson, Dennis de Jong, Kostas Chrysogonos, Eleonora Forenza, Jiří Maštálka, Kateřina Konečná, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Stelios Kouloglou, Kostadinka Kuneva, Josu Juaristi Abaunz, Marie-Christine Vergiat, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
Catherine Bearder, Nathalie Griesbeck, Cecilia Wikström, Louis Michel, Filiz Hyusmenova, Morten Helveg Petersen, Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz, Sophia in 't Veld, Gérard Deprez, Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Renate Weber, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the ALDE Group
Birgit Sippel, Anna Hedh, Soraya Post, Pier Antonio Panzeri, Elena Valenciano, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group
Roberta Metsola, Constance Le Grip, Andrzej Grzyb, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt, Mariya Gabriel, Cristian Dan Preda, on behalf of the PPE Group

Trafficking in human beings (THB) constitutes one of the worst forms of human rights abuses, as it reduces human beings to commodities and violates the dignity, integrity and rights of the victims and affects entire families and communities.

In 2012, the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of THB was adopted. This strategy has both an internal and an external dimension and was scheduled to run until 2016. A revised strategy was also announced, but has yet to be adopted.

1. What key conclusions does the Commission draw from the implementation of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of THB and when does it intend to adopt a new strategy?

2. How will the financial and economic aspects of THB, the strengthening of the gender dimension and internal/external coherence across policy areas be dealt with in the new strategy?

3. How will the Commission uphold the fundamental distinction between THB and human smuggling in its future strategy?

4. Based on the two implementation reports of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, adopted in December 2016, what measures is the Commission planning?