During the EP plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the gender dimension of trafficking in human beings. Statements by Konstantinka KUNEVA (GUE/NGL, EL), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), B Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Mary HONEYBALL (S&amp;D, UK) and Ines Cristina ZUBER (GUE/NGL, PT)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

BEARDER, Catherine (Renew, UK)

fight against trafficking in human beings (T)

AVRAMOPOULOS, Dimitris (EL, EC)

CORAZZA BILDT, Anna Maria (EPP, SE)

KUNEVA, Kostadinka (GUE/NGL, EL)

HONEYBALL, Mary (S&D, UK)

ZUBER, Inês Cristina (GUE/NGL, PT)

The gender dimension of trafficking in human beings: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Greek), Konstantinka KUNEVA (GUE/NGL, EL), There has to be an immediate revision of the various measures which have been adopted as concerns immigration for the period of 2012-2016 and there has to be cohesion on the part of the member states as well in the legislation which is implemented. There has to be a close analysis of the phenomena.

SOUNDBITE (English), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), Between 2010 and 2012 there were over 30,000 victims registered in 28 member states. 80% of which were women. Although victims are varied, held in control for a variety of reasons, we cannot dismiss the significant gender dimension of this crime. The majority, 69% of identified victims, were trafficked for sexual exploitations. And 95% of that number were women. These numbers show that however good the EU is at tackling those issue, we cannot rest on out law rules.

SOUNDBITE (English), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), <p>The transnational nature of these crimes means that we can only address both the root causes, the rescue and care of victims, and the punishment of perpetrators if we work together at both source and destination countries. The Commission must come forward quickly with its post-2016 strategy towards the eradication of human trafficking.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, If we want to prevent more victims from falling prey to traffickers, we must follow the money.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS,  Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, I'm proud to say that the EC has delivered a lot and my services continue to deliver a very ambitious work in this direction.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS,  Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, To date, 25 member states have officially informed the Commission that they have fully transposed the directive at national level. We will not hesitate in taking all the necessary steps to ensure full transposition and application European Union's law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS,  Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, As stipulated in the European agendas fro security and migration, we will adopt a post-2016 strategy. We will ensure that we'll consult all the stakeholders and ensure this Parliament will be kept abreast of developments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), We are calling on you, commissioner, to present fast the report on compliance ensuring a clear gender perspective, because sexual exploitation, as you said, is one of the biggest causes of trafficking. But also protection of the victim; girls and women,special needs, and, as you said, reducing the supply and putting the responsibility also on the users.

SOUNDBITE (English), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), No one should be mistreated, abused or exploited on their way to safety in Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Mary HONEYBALL (S&amp;D, UK), <p>I think it's important because i represent London, which is a major destination for human trafficking. and as the UK goes through a period where we are preparing for a referendum on the EU membership, I believe that the issue on human trafficking will be an important debate in that. And it's women and girls who have been trafficked who are some of the most vulnerable people that we have to deal with. This is a European problem and I believe that it has a European solution.</p>

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), In&#234;s Cristina ZUBER (GUE/NGL, PT), There is a direct link between prostitution and women trafficking. without the prostitution business, a good part of the trafficking stops existing. That's why it's necessary to criminalise those who live from the sexual exploitation of women.