The Issue of Human Trafficking and The EU

Human trafficking has been an issue inseparable with humans. As long as humans have existed in this world, human trafficking has occurred constantly with them, possibly shape-shifting itself into different ways of approaching and media with the development of technology.

In today’s world, almost everyone is aware of the cruel exploitation of human rights. The ways vary from forced labor to sexual slavery, but every act aims for profit in any possible way. Anyone can be a victim; sex, age, backgrounds and more don’t matter. It is not a simple controversy to be overlooked.

Even though actions against such an inhumane crime are continued all around the world, it hasn’t been able to be eliminated. How is the EU contributing to solve this issue? In depth, how is AFET of this session of MEP working towards eradication?

In the EU, the Migration and home affairs is in charge of the actions against human trafficking and organized crime. Diane Schmitt is the current EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. She is responsible for enhancing the quality of the coordination and the consistency of EU institutions, agencies, member states and more when it comes to addressing trafficking in human beings.

By the leadership of the coordinator and the hard work of the EU, actions are divided into five major categories: legal policy and framework, comprehensive responses of the member states, coordination of responses, funds and publication.

Legal policy and framework deals with human trafficking by adopting new strategies and performing policy cooperations, based on the fundamental act of the EU Anti-trafficking Directive which establishes basic rules. Comprehensive responses of the member states consist of how they undertake on the issue. National hotline numbers for reporting, national authorities and relevant organizations are all recorded.

Coordination of responses creates networks and civil society platforms among the member states, following the strategy suggested by legal policy and framework. Funds make calls for proposals. A call was published about proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund on the 21st of May, 2024. A budget of EUR 6 million was given to support the projects that aim to prevent and identify victims. Publication keeps the statistics, studies and researches be kept tracked as journals.

In AFET, the delegates have come up with an IC which acknowledges human trafficking being impacted by EU migration deals. Today, as the resolutions were finalized, they have created an OC corresponding to it. The delegates have considered requesting cooperation with LIBE (Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs). It was said that the cooperation will consist of blocking illegal migration paths towards Europe which will also prevent human trafficking. For this OC to have power, the committee should have jurisdiction through migration pacts and collaboration advisors. Those advisors include local authorities and EUROPOL.

Human trafficking is an arduous problem that is happening anytime and anywhere. No one can ever know what will happen tomorrow as it is not promised, everyone is vulnerable. To prevent and preserve victims from such a vicious crime, especially the ones experiencing hardships of migration, the EU must expand their efficiency in any way possible.