Mizzi calls for a 'strong stance' against human trafficking

Speaking in Parliament in Strasbourg Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi called on the European Commission and member states to take a strong stance against human trafficking. 

She also urged member states to incorporate a clear gender perspective in its policies in fighting trafficking in human beings giving a priority to the rights of victims and their specific needs.

"The extent and severity of the human trafficking problem are alarming. Several thousand people are trafficked into or within the EU every year for various reasons, such as forced labour, illegal trade in human organs and illegal adoptions." said Mizzi during a Parliamentary debate this week in Strasbourg, where MEPs discussed the gender dimension of trafficking in human beings.

In her speech, Mizzi said, "Gender dimension of trafficking in human beings is a serious issue. Trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation sharply increased in the last years topping the charts, as the most commonly identified form of human trafficking. Every day women and girls across the world and within the EU lose their lives to the hands of traffickers to become sex slaves."

The Eurostat Report earlier this year, estimated that over the three years 2010-2012 there were over 30,000 victims were registered in the 28 Member States and 80% of those victims were women.

Commenting about those numbers, Mizzi said that human trafficking is unacceptable in every sense of that word. It affects women, men, girls and boys, but the fact that 80% of the victims are female shows that there is a serious problem with the gender dimension of this issue, that has to be addressed by the Member states and the EU.

"Trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery, a serious crime and a severe violation of fundamental human rights and for these reasons and thousands of others, the EU and Member States need to show commitment and determination in fighting this horrendous crime" said Mizzi.