EUROPE IS LETTING DOWN THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY
Support A1+!Statement by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Every year hundreds of thousands of human beings, mostly women and young girls, are bought and sold in Europe. The politically correct terminology for this outrage is trafficking in human beings, but the fact is that slavery is back in Europe, and that our governments are not doing enough to fight it.
In May 2005, 46 Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe member states approved a new Convention which is also open to Council of Europe non-member states and the European Community. It introduces ground-breaking methods of fighting international trafficking in human beings. Those suffering from this modern form of slavery are treated as victims instead of illegal merchandise or associates in crime. The Convention promotes prevention and repression of trafficking based on active participation of the victims, who are offered incentives to break free and help the authorities in prosecuting the traffickers. The text also contains safeguards to prevent any misuse and circumvention of national immigration laws.
Regrettably, 18 months after it has been opened for signature, the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings has only been ratified by three countries and has not yet entered into force. I call on all European countries which have not yet signed or ratified the Convention, to do it as quickly as possible, and I would also encourage the European Community to set an example and take the lead.
