Dr. Ingrid Dingelstad - Frankova
580 California St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94104
Europol's involvement in the EU combat trafficking in human beings
Sign up for access to the world's latest research
Abstract
The phenomenon of trafficking in human beings has, in the last decade, changed from a marginal "nonissue" to a legitimate concern of the European Union. All countries have developed (or are in the process of developing) their anti-trafficking policies to suppress this type of criminality effectively. Apart from this effort, there are several international organizations with the phenomenon in one way or another. Displaying an increasing activity within the institutional architecture constituting the EU Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice since its modest beginning in 1994, today's Europol is at the forefront of implementing and developing the EU, internal security model. Working towards eradicating THB cannot be done without placing the victim at the center of any actions and initiatives. Following so, the new EU Directive takes a human-based-gender-specific-approach with the center of interest on victims and the child's best interest. It contains substantial criminal law provisions, extensions of jurisdiction, provisions on victim support and their rights in criminal proceedings, etc. THB is a complex transnational phenomenon. Based on findings of the SOCTA 2013, Europol recommended that the operational response to serious and organized crime in the EU should also focus on this priority threat to weaken OCGs involved in this crime area, "including those groups using LBS to facilitate or disguise criminal activities." i Practise proves that the scale and nature of THB in the EU are not easy to define as they can be hidden within other criminality, such as forced prostitution or labor disputes. Also, the remaining variation of the THB definition (and its acknowledgment among law enforcement practitioners) and low diversity of information versus standardized data collection seem to allow significant gaps in numbers and knowledge. Fast-aging methodologies used for analyses of the nature and causes of human trafficking also contribute to the named trend.
FAQs
AI
What are the predominant nationalities involved in human trafficking within the EU?
Research indicates that Romanian, Nigerian, and Bulgarian traffickers account for over 50% of trafficking cases in the EU, highlighting the nationalities most active in this crime.
How effective is Europol in combating human trafficking since its establishment?
Europol reports that its targeted initiatives, especially following the 1998 Convention, have significantly enhanced police cooperation among Member States, focusing on THB as a priority area.
What impact does legalized prostitution have on human trafficking rates?
The study suggests that legalized prostitution may inadvertently contribute to human trafficking by normalizing commercial sex, potentially increasing demand and exploiting vulnerable populations.
How does the new EU Directive differ from previous frameworks on human trafficking?
The 2011 Directive introduces stricter penalties, including a minimum of five years imprisonment, and emphasizes victim protection without requiring victim cooperation for prosecutions.
What challenges remain in measuring the extent of human trafficking in Europe?
A lack of uniformity in definitions and inadequate data collection methods continue to obscure the true scale of human trafficking within the EU.
References (16)
- http://www.statewatch.org/subscriber/protected/sw10n5.pdf; Europol: Working Programme 2007. Retrieved on May 01, 2010 from www.eumonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vi7jgt3bnbzi;
- lxx Activity file WGCC, CBSS, (2007).Trafficking in human beings within the Northern Dimension Partnership, Coordinating meeting. Retrieved on January 10,2013 from: www.ft/dk/samling/20051/spoergsmaal/s24/svar/196940/210090.pdf;
- lxxi Yet Bulgaria had to cooperate with AWF Maritsa in a capacity of Third State in 2003; The participating countries were DE, NL, FR, BE, HU; lxxii Convention based on Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union on establishment of European Police Office (Europol Convention);
- lxxiii Europol SOCTA 2013. EU Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment. Retrieved on November 12, 2013 from: https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/eu-serious- and-organised-crime-threat-assessment-socta;
- lxxiv De Moor UGent, A., Vermeulen, G. (2010). The Europol Council Decision: transforming Europol into an agency of the European Union, Common Market review. 47 (4). P. 1089-1121.
- lxxv The text of the Council Decision was ultimately adopted by the Council in April 2009;
- lxxvi Convention based on Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union on establishment of European Police Office (Europol Convention);
- lxxvii Disley, E., Barrie, I.,Hughes, W, Patruni,B., (2012). Evaluation of the Implementation of the Europol Council Decision and of Europol's activities.Rand Report. Retrieved on January 12, 2013 from: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1264.html;
- Disley, E., Barrie, I.,Hughes, W, Patruni,B., (2012) Evaluation of the Implementation of the Europol Council Decision and of Europol's activities, Rand Report, Retrieved on January 12, 2013 from: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR1264.html;
- lxxix Frequently Asked Questions on the association of Third Parties to Europol's AWF, 2009, Retrieved on November 12,2013 from www.statewatch.org/news/2009/nov/europol-awfs-third-parties.pdf;
- lxxx Europol Work Programme 2013;Retrieved on November 12,2013 from www.eumonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vj1c69uz0rw0;
- lxxxi Conclusions No 8710/13 of the Council of the European Union on setting the EU's priorities for the fight against serious and organised crime between 2014 and 2017; lxxxii FP Phoenix in particular;
- lxxxiii Shoplifting, metal thefts, burglary, benefit fraud, etc.
- lxxxiv Hostynkova, A., (2013), Europol, FP Phoenix presentation in Barcelona, Retrieved on December 12, 2013 from www20.gencat.cat/.../3_THE_Europol_Andre%20Hostynkova.pdf;
- lxxxv International Organisation for Migration, (2009), Retrieved on September 14, 2011 from: www.iom.int/jahia/webdav/shared/shared/mainsite/microsites/IDM/workshops/Ensuring_protection_070909/human_trafficking_new_directions_for_research.pdf: Human trafficking is the second largest industry worldwide and the fastest growing, generating annual profits of $32 billion; lxxxvi "Many sided" -can be looked at from a number of different angles. Thus there is a legal view (human trafficking as a crime), a human rights view (human trafficking as a violation of basic human rights), a development policy view (human trafficking as result of faulty globalization and migration policies) and a societal view (protection of the victims).
- García Schmidt, A., (2008), Spotlight Europe 2008/04, April 2008: Human Trafficking: Europe's New Shame and Disgrace. [Policy Paper], Retrieved on October 12, 2011 from: http://aei.pitt.edu/8076/;