Graham Watson MEP

Human Traffickers hit under new EU law

Published on Wednesday 23rd March 2011

Tougher penalties and more cooperation between European police forces await human traffickers following the decision by the Coalition government to 'opt in' to European wide anti trafficking laws.

Following the decision by the Home Office to opt in to the Lib Dem sponsored law, human traffickers will face tougher sentences and more advanced policing across Europe.

Hundreds of thousands of people are targeted every year in Europe, with 43% of human trafficking victims forced into prostitution.

Speaking on the news, Lib Dem South West England MEP Graham Watson said, 'UK participation in this directive has been a strong Lib Dem objective and I am pleased our manifesto is being put into action once again. '

'Human trafficking is an obscene practice and with cross border police cooperation, criminals will have no where to hide.'

ENDS.

Note to Editors

1. The new EU law introduces a maximum sentence of 10 years instead of 8, much better care for child victims and an EU anti-trafficking coordinator. 'Trafficking' will now cover selling a person as a beggar or pickpocket, or for adoption, forced marriage or harvesting of organs for transplant as well as for sex or labour.

2. The UK only participates in EU justice & home affairs legislation when it chooses to, and there are 2 opportunities to 'opt in' on any measure, when it is first proposed or once the final version is agreed. The coalition government agreement says: 'We will approach forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice on a case-by-case basis, with a view to maximising our country's security, protecting Britain's civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system.'