International Day for Human Rights highlights need for sex traffic crackdown - Liz Lynne

6.30.25pm GMT Fri 9th Dec 2005

On the eve of International Day for Human Rights, Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands and member of the Subcommittee for Human Rights, has once again voiced her strong opinion urging the UK to sign up to the Council of Europe Convention for Action against the Trafficking of Human Beings.

Speaking today in the West Midlands, Ms Lynne said:

"In recognising this day, we must remember not only the many advances that have been made in the area of human rights, but also the many breeches which continue to be made across the world, especially those in the area of human trafficking. Women and children are being forced into prostitution in their thousands; a fact that we simply cannot ignore.

"The British presidency of the European Union should have served as a platform from which to gain credibility in this field, yet the UK has still not signed up to the Convention which has been open for signing since May.

"The argument that signing up to this will lead to abuse of the legislation by immigrants, seeking to use it as a means of staying in the country under false pretences, is really a very weak and cowardly one.

"The only way that this abhorrent practice will be prevented is if we have a common and integrated approach across Europe, therefore it is simply essential that we sign up."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

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.

The Convention states that a so called 'breathing' period of 30 days 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 would 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.