Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings

In “Promoting our European Way of Life”

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On 29 January 2020, the European Commission's new work programme was published. Under the fifth priority - 'Promoting our European Way of Life', the Commission announced its intention to launch an overarching strategy on the subject, which was planned to be adopted in the first quarter of 2021.

In its Security Union strategy adopted on 24 July 2020, the Commission mentioned adopting a new comprehensive approach to trafficking in human beings among its key actions aiming to combat organised crime.

In their joint report on the implementation of the Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, the European Parliament's Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) called on the Commission to swiftly adopt a specific EU strategy towards the eradication of human trafficking. The Parliament as a whole adopted the report on 10 February 2021.

On 15 February 2021, the European Commission published a roadmap for a Communication on an EU Strategy to tackle organised crime (2021-2025) and a related Communication on an EU Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025), with a possibility to provide feedback until 15 March 2021. The Commission presented both strategies on 14 April 2021.

The Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings 2021- 2025 focuses on preventing the crime, bringing traffickers to justice and protecting and empowering victims. It builds on the EU's comprehensive legal and policy framework in place to address trafficking in human beings, rooted in the Anti-trafficking Directive. The Commission will continue to support Member States in the implementation of the Directive and, if necessary, will propose revisions to make sure it is fit for purpose.

The strategy aims at providing a comprehensive response and proposes a series of actions around five main strands:

Prevention, protection and prosecution  

  • Ensure the effective implementation of the Anti-trafficking Directive, through dedicated funding, with a particular focus on gender specific and child sensitive aspects and taking infringement action as appropriate;
  • Launch a study for the evaluation of the Anti-trafficking Directive, and based on the outcome consider reviewing the directive;  
  • Ensure appropriate funding to combat trafficking inside and outside the EU.   

Reducing demand that fosters trafficking 

  • Assess the possibility of criminalising the use of exploited services from victims of trafficking;
  • Assess how to strengthen the effectiveness of the Employers' Sanctions Directive;
  • Put forward a legislative proposal on sustainable corporate governance to foster long-term sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour; 
  • Provide guidance on forced labour due diligence in line with international due diligence guidelines and principles; 
  • Organise a prevention campaign, conducted together with Member States and civil society organisations, targeting high-risk sectors and high-risk environments.    

Breaking the criminal model to halt victims' exploitation 

  • Improve data recording and collection to ensure reliable and comparable information for tailor made policies;  
  • Facilitate the creation of a focus group of specialised prosecutors against trafficking in human beings;  
  • Enhance the coordination of law enforcement services in cross-border and international cases and support coordinated responses between different actors, including via funding of simulation exercises;  
  • Enhance law enforcement and judicial cooperation between Member States through projects funded under the Internal Security Fund;
  • Promote dialogue and exchange of best practices with support from EU agencies with the private sector and digital industries.

Protecting, supporting and empowering victims 

  • Enhance capacity building and sharing of best practices for identifying victims of trafficking, including through dedicated funding for training; 
  • Facilitate re-integration and victim empowerment programmes and exchanges on best practices in this regard;
  • Enhance cooperation towards a European referral mechanism;  
  • Enable targeted funding support to specialised shelters for victims of trafficking, including specialised facilities for trafficked women and children via the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and Internal Security Fund;  
  • Ensure funding in non-EU partner countries to non-governmental organisations, to support victims' psychosocial needs; 
  • Develop close cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee and  the Committee of the Regions to improve impact of anti-trafficking actions with social and economic partners and on local and regional level;   
  • Enhance partnerships with non-EU countries to ensure that victims' rights are guaranteed during all the steps of the return process and that they receive specific, tailor-made assistance and protection upon return, including specific safeguards for children.

International dimension 

  • Adopt an EU Action Plan against Migrant Smuggling (2021-2025);  
  • Step up cooperation with non-EU countries of origin and transit of victims as well as with international and regional partners, including international organisations;  
  • Use dedicated human rights and security dialogues in engaging with partner countries;  
  • Enhance cooperation with the Council of Europe and its Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in human beings;  
  • Support the European External Action Service's systematic engagement of EU delegations in specific countries by regular and targeted communication, action and exchange of information.

On 19 December 2022, the Commission published a legislative proposal to review the Anti-trafficking directive. Interinstitutional agreement was reached on the proposal on 23 January 2024 and the act was signed on 13 June 2024. It will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU on 24 June 2024.

References:

Further reading:

Author: Martina Prpic, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu

As of 20/10/2024.