Victims Of Human Trafficking Should Not Be Treated As Illegal Immigrants says Euro-MP

12.01.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th May 2005

The European Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings, being discussed at the Council of Europe Summitt this week in Warsaw will go some way to address the problems of exploitation of people according to a Liberal Democrat Human Rights Spokesperson in the European Parliament.

Liz Lynne MEP, a long time campaigner for European co-operation to tackle the trafficking of humans, has called on the 46 member states of the Council of Europe to sign up to the new convention as soon as possible.

The very nature of trafficking means that it is impossible to ascertain the exact number of victims, but Europol estimates that around 500,000 people enter the European Union illegally every year and half of those are helped in doing so by organized criminal networks. According to the International Organization for Migration(IOM), between 500,000 and 700,000 women and children are trafficked worldwide each year although other groups put the figure closer to 2 million.

In a speech to Parliament earlier this year Liz Lynne said that trafficking and sexual exploitation are forms of modern day slavery.

"Earlier this year I spoke out against the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children. At that point I focused my remarks on Cambodia and Asia in general, but it is clear that this is a problem throughout the world. Indeed many people are exploited and abused right here in the UK.

"I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues have long led the call for tougher laws to deal with the problem of human trafficking, as well as for specific measures to support the victims. Signing up to the Convention will be a major first step. Authorities from across the EU can only stop the gangs by working together.

"We also need to change immigration and asylum rules to protect the victims of these crimes. Many of them are treated as illegal immigrants and deported immediately sending them back in to the hands of the same groups who exploited them before.

"These people are not illegal immigrants they are victims of crime whose Human Rights have been violated. That is why I am strongly in favour of the so called 'breathing' period of 30 days which would allow the victims of trafficking time to stay in the member state to consider whether they wish to co-operate in the prosecution of the trafficker. During that time, they would be given access to counselling and other assistance. They will also be allowed to apply for residence if they would be in danger on returning to their home country or if indeed they agree to give evidence.

"The problem of trafficking was brought to the attention of us all by the appalling tragedy at Morecambe Bay last year. At the time many vowed that this must never happen again. 15 months have passed since then and little has been done. If governments do not sign this convention many will draw the conclusion that they are more conscious of the benefits of cheap labour than protecting human rights."

ENDS