Action on human trafficking ahead of World Cup.

3.37.13pm GMT Tue 14th Mar 2006

MEPs are putting pressure on the European Commission for increased action to prevent human trafficking ahead of this summer's football World Cup in Germany. Thousands of women and girls are likely to be trafficked into the country and forced into prostitution as a result of increased demand from visitors to the event.

Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman and London Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford wants to see all EU countries cooperating with the German government's 'red card to forced prostitution' campaign, which calls for cross-border cooperation in fighting the problem. She said:

"Big sporting events such as the World Cup are a honey-pot for trafficking gangs. National authorities need to cooperate with sports associations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee to raise public awareness of just how widespread a problem this is. If action is taken now, then by the time London hosts the Olympics in 6 years time we could see real improvement."

Sarah Ludford has long campaigned for the UK government (and all EU governments) to sign up to the European Convention on Human Trafficking, which it has thus far refused to do. This Convention is the first attempt to set minimum standards for protecting the victims of trafficking; it prescribes a 30-day 'breather' so that victims can recover their health and decide if they will take part in the prosecution of the traffickers. She said:

"Trafficked women are treated in Britain principally as illegal immigrants, deported and made vulnerable to being abused again."

"Compared to the estimated 1,000 people trafficked every year into the UK for sexual exploitation, the existence of only one safe haven for victims in London with just 25 places is a disgrace."

Note to Editors

- For details of Sarah's previous campaigning on the issue, please go to:

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/608.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/speeches/98.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/news/573.html

http://www.sarahludfordmep.org.uk/articles/23.html

- Of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, 21 have still to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking, including the UK and France.