"Remember sex trafficking victims are not criminals" says MEP

11.37.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrat Liz Lynne MEP, a long time campaigner against human trafficking, today welcomed the announcement of a dedicated national police task force to help the victims of the sex trafficking industry, but warned that the government is potentially undermining this by failing to ratify an important European action plan on trafficking.

Commenting after the police announcement Liz Lynne said "Whilst I welcome the new police task force and wish them every success in their attempts to fight this abhorrent trade, I would strongly urge the government to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking, as this is the first step towards the much-needed coherent European policy to combat this evil trade."

"I also call on the government to implement the European Council Directive on residence permits for victims of sex trafficking. This would allow trafficked people to stay for an initial six-month recovery period. The UK has currently opted out of this, which is entirely unacceptable."

"Trafficked people must be given a recovery period in which they can consider pressing charges against the individuals who have forced them into slavery. If victims are sent straight back to their own country there is a good chance they will fall victim to the gangs of traffickers once again. We must remember that we are dealing with victims and not criminals and treat them accordingly."

The national police task force comes in the wake of Operation Pentameter, a nationwide four-month project that has seen 200 arrests and 80 sex slave victims freed.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5100910.stm

2. The Council of Europe Convention on Action against trafficking was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 3rd May 2005. It aims to raise awareness among governments, parliamentarians, NGOs and civil society of the extent of the problem of trafficking in human beings in Europe today. So far 30 of the 46 members of the Council of Europe have signed the Convention. The UK has not.

3. The EU Council Directive (2004/81/EC) on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration that co-operate with the competent authorities, entered into force on the 29th April 2004. All EU states are obliged to bring their national law into line with the Directive before 6 August 2006, except those, like the UK, which have negotiated an "opt out" from this directive.

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 003222845521 (Brussels) or 077644 52725(mobile) or Press Officer Ollie Newham on 01789 266354