Guidelines on identification of victims
The importance of early identification of victims of trafficking in human beings is reflected both in the Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims as well as EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in human beings 2012-2016.
In order to ensure better coordination and increase coherence in this area, as well as bearing in mind the projects funded by the Commission, the Commission publishes this Reference document on the Guidelines for the identification of victims of trafficking in human beings especially for border guards and consular services.
The document provides for a list of indicative guidelines, refers to the existing handbooks and manuals and lists the projects on the identification of victims, in particular those targeting consular services and border guards and thus encourage their systematic use by the respective officials. In order to avoid duplication and to ensure that this brochure is of practical use for front-line officers, a user friendly format has been chosen and only indicative guidelines have been listed.
The EU rights of victims of trafficking now available in all European languages
European Commission-DG Home Affairs, 2013, 32 pages
In order to better assist practitioners and authorities in the Member States to deliver the assistance and protection to victims, the European Commission publishes the document 'The EU rights of victims of trafficking' in all official EU languages.
The EU approach places the victim and its human rights at the centre of its coordinated, multidisciplinary action to work towards eradication of trafficking in human beings.
This document provides a practical and comprehensive overview of victims' rights based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, EU directives, framework decisions and European Court of Human Rights case law.
The overview will be used by victims and practitioners working in the field of trafficking in human beings and will contribute to the effective realisation of these rights by helping authorities in the Member States to deliver the assistance and protection that victims need and deserve. It does in no way constitute a binding interpretation of EU legislation. All rights need to be read within the context of the full legal provision and appropriate legislation.
Trafficking in Human Beings and Gender – the EU Perspective
30 September 2013 - EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström delivered a statement at the Ministerial Round Table concluding the Inter-ministerial conference: "The New York Convention 65 years later: observations and new perspectives", co-organized by Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and Minister for Home Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Joëlle Milquet and the Minister for Women's Rights of France, Najat Vallaud Belkacem in Brussels on 30 September 2013.
In her speech Commissioner Malmström stressed that human trafficking is a gross human rights violation. She highlighted that eradicating human trafficking must take into account the gendered dimension thereof and that we must take action to reduce demand for sexual exploitation, including by considering to criminalise those who knowingly use the services of victims of trafficking. She further stressed the links between trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation and prostitution. She further highlighted that trafficking of women and girls is a form of violence against women, which is rooted in gender inequalities and in sex discrimination. Commissioner Malmström stressed that it is crucial that all EU Member States transpose the EU Human Trafficking Directive, and make sure its provisions are fully implemented.
