"We welcome the outcome of the vote that confirms our determination to fight human trafficking. This modern form of slavery still takes place in Europe and we need to take tougher measures to combat this phenomenon. Now it is up to the Member States to act and show determination to stamp it out. We need more prevention measures and information campaigns at national level but also adequate training for judges, lawyers, social workers and all other professions which are directly in contact with victims." said ALDE co-spokesperson Nadja Hirsch (FDP, Germany) of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee, commenting on today's European Parliament vote on a draft directive for combating trafficking in human beings.

Despite general compliance of Member States with the 2002 Framework Decision on combating trafficking in human beings the Commission revealed that more had to be done to implement a comprehensive and effective anti-trafficking policy. In fact, compared to the scale of the phenomenon, real figures, such as victims reporting crime, protection and assistance to victims, preventive measures and knowledge, remain disappointingly low. The Commission consequently issued in March 2010 a proposal for a Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, and protecting victims, repealing the previous Framework Decision.

"Trafficking in human beings does not know borders and we therefore need a strong and solid legal framework to combat it across and outside the Union. Today's vote is a good step towards intensifying our action to protect individuals, prosecute traffickers and provide effective support for victims, but let's not forget either that we also have to fight the social and economic inequalities as one of the main roots of this unacceptable breach of human rights and dignity." said Antonyia Parvanova (National Movement for Stability and Progress, Bulgaria), shadowing the Directive in the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

For more information, please contact / Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez contacter:
Corlett Neil - Tel: +32 2 284 20 77 Mob: +32 478 78 22 84
Terzi Federica - Tel: +32 2 283 23 24
Web: http://www.alde.eu