 In
its latest
annual report, published today, the Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking
watchdog
GRETA (Group of experts on action against trafficking in human beings) has
urged countries across the continent to step up the fight against human
trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a European tragedy. Today’s report shows that women, men
and children are falling victim to sexual abuse, labour exploitation or being
forced into criminality in countries across the continent,” said Council of
Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland.
“Many victims are still
not being properly recognised or given the support that they need. Furthermore,
problems with investigations and prosecutions mean that traffickers are not
being sufficiently punished for their crimes.
“International
organisations, national authorities and non-governmental bodies must work
together to help put an end to these shocking human rights abuses, which have no
place in 21st century Europe,” he said.
The Group of Experts on
Trafficking in Human Beings monitors how well countries implement the Council of
Europe’s convention on fighting human trafficking (CETS
No.197). 37 Council of Europe countries, including 22 EU member states, are
so far bound by the convention.
Today’s report
identifies a number of key trends emerging from GRETA’s first ten
country-by-country monitoring reports, covering Albania, Austria, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and the Slovak Republic.
Contacts:
Daniel Höltgen, Spokesperson for the Secretary General, mobile +33 6 68 29
87 51
Can Fişek,
Media Officer, mobile: + 33 6 75 65 03 41
For more information see: www.coe.int / www.coe.ge |
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political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to promote
democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops common responses to
social, cultural and legal challenges in its 47 member states.