Brussels, 28/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Under the initiative of French Socialist Marie-Arlette Carlotti, the EP's Committee on Development held an exchange of views last week in Brussels on the highly sensitive subject of trafficking in children and child slavery in western Africa and Europe. Representatives of the European Committee against Modern Forms of Slavery and the International Organisation for Migration were also present. "We need to be aware of the fact that the number of children in slavery today is ten times higher than at the height of slave traffic into the United States, in other words, over a million new slaves in the world each year", said Ms Carlotti in her opening address.
In order to stem this tide, we need to make specific funds available in their own budgetary line, stressed MEPs. Also, any actions undertaken must target those involved in trafficking and their clients, and adequate sanctions must be planned and applied in the country of origin, of transit and of destination. MEPs take the view that child victims must also benefit from adequate protection and accompaniment once rescued from slavery. They also proposed that as an initial form of protection for child victims, particularly for "clandestine" children (i.e. those with no legal existence), they should be automatically registered without charge.
The MEPs also announced their intention to present a resolution on the subject, following next month's discussion on child soldiers. One of their proposals would be to set up a temporary committee on the subject, bringing together members of the various competent bodies.