Brussels, 06/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - A few days before the Euro 2008 kick-off, the European Parliament women's rights committee renewed its “Red card for forced prostitution” campaign, which enjoyed success during the World Cup in Germany in 2006. On Wednesday 4 June, committee chairwoman Anna Záborská (EPP-ED, Slovakia) told press that every year hundreds of thousands were being forced into prostitution and that some countries still considered this activity as a job. Work had to be done to prevent women being forced into prostitution and also to raise public awareness, through campaigns like the one in Austria, she added. Despite the lack of reliable data, the action plan on sexploitation provides for increased training in police schools, more funding for Europol and enhanced cross-border cooperation, she said.
“Has the action plan been implemented? Has this one been effective? What measures have been taken by member states and have they correctly transposed directive 2004/81/EC?” All questions Záborská asked Commissioner Lásló Kovács during Wednesday's plenary session. “Despite encouraging results, the situation with regard to pursuing these criminals and assisting victims is still not satisfactory,” he admitted, noting the succour that directive 2004/81/EC provided to the victims of trafficking. Estonian MEP Siiri Oviir (ALDE) expressed concern at the risks involved in extending the Schengen area, while others, like Eva-Britt Svensson (GUE/NGL, Sweden), highlighted that “men should be more involved in prevention campaigns” in support of “sexually abused, beaten, threatened and exploited” women and children. (A.D./transl. rt)