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EUROPE IS LETTING DOWN THE VICTIMS OF SLAVERY
[05:09 pm] 01 December, 2006

Statement by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the
Council of Europe on the International Day for the
Abolition of Slavery

Every year hundreds of thousands of human beings,
mostly women and young girls, are bought and sold in
Europe. The politically correct terminology for this
outrage is trafficking in human beings, but the fact
is that slavery is back in Europe, and that our
governments are not doing enough to fight it.

In May 2005, 46 Heads of State and Government of the
Council of Europe member states approved a new
Convention which is also open to Council of Europe
non-member states and the European Community. It
introduces ground-breaking methods of fighting
international trafficking in human beings. Those
suffering from this modern form of slavery are treated
as victims instead of illegal merchandise or
associates in crime. The Convention promotes
prevention and repression of trafficking based on
active participation of the victims, who are offered
incentives to break free and help the authorities in
prosecuting the traffickers. The text also contains
safeguards to prevent any misuse and circumvention of
national immigration laws.

Regrettably, 18 months after it has been opened for
signature, the Council of Europe Convention on Action
against Trafficking in Human Beings has only been
ratified by three countries and has not yet entered
into force. I call on all European countries which
have not yet signed or ratified the Convention, to do
it as quickly as possible, and I would also encourage
the European Community to set an example and take the
lead.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress