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Date: 03-02-2005
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Directorate D: Internal Security and Criminal Justice
Unit D1: Fight against Terrorism, Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings, and Law
Enforcement Cooperation The Head of Unit
Brussels, 03.FEV.2005
DG JLS/D1/JM D(2005) 1368
Mr. T. Deyanov
Foundation “Savestin”
Mr. I. Radichev
Foundation “Way for Humanity”
Subject: Trafficking in human beings in and from Bulgaria
Dear Mr Deyanov and Radichev,
On behalf of the Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, Vice-President Franco Frattini, I would like to thank for your letter of 24 December 2004. Further to a number of initiatives you have launched over the last years we can imagine how you must feel given the circumstances that you are describing and that have to be seen in the wider context of trafficking in human beings, in particular children, and related forms of exploitation such as forced prostitution.
Just last December Vice-President Frattini stressed in a press conference that trafficking in human beings is one the most horrible forms of crime and that a resolute EU response is necessary. In particular vulnerable groups such as children and women who are sold like property and physically and sexually abused or refugees and migrants who are at the mercy of criminal organisations are victims of this crime.
You may have heard that the European Commission had set up an Experts Group on Trafficking in Human Beings in 2003. On 22 December 2004, the Group submitted a report indicating ways of strengthening EU action. On the basis of the report’s recommendations and other data the Commission will issue a Communication in 2005 in order to develop an EU-plan for common standards, best practices and mechanisms to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings.
The nature of the crime makes it difficult to estimate exactly how many victims are trafficked in the European Union, as well as in the rest of the world, but there are reasons to believe that the numbers should be counted in the hundreds of thousands (Europol). The traditional flow between certain developing countries (Northern and Central Africa, Latin America, Asia) and Western destination countries. However, the most striking factor, which still gives rise to great concern, are the high numbers of persons trafficked into the EU from or through Central and Eastern European countries.
A considerable number of victims as well as perpetrators from Bulgaria have been noticed in this context. Although Bulgaria’s anti-trafficking legislation underwent considerable improvements over the past years the prevention of and the fight against trafficking in human beings is likely to remain an important issue in the context of enlargement negotiations. The European Commission’s 2004 Regular Report of Bulgaria states (page 21): “Trafficking in human beings - especially of women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation - continues to be a serious Problem in Bulgaria, which is a country of origin, transit and to a lesser extent destination.” For further information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/bulgaria/index.htm The Commission will continue to regularly assess the situation in Bulgaria taking into account available information from various sources, including your petition to Vice-President Frattini.
Yours sincerely,
Joaquim NUNES DE ALMEIDA |
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