15 April 1997       Doc. 7796

ADOC7796

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on trafficking in human beings

presented by Mr STAES and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

The Assembly,

i.       draws attention to the upsurge in trafficking in human beings in certain regions of Europe;

ii.       notes in particular that new channels are being organised originating in Luxembourg;

iii.       notes that this trafficking in human beings concerns primarily prostitution and the underground economy;

iv.       understands that this recent upsurge, accounted for by the Luxembourg channels, is related to a marked increase in visa applications to Luxembourg;

v.       believes that policies in this field in one or more countries will be in vain unless all European countries set the same priorities, in particular the fight to close off entry channels;

vi.       stresses the considerable interest taken by the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly in all policy in defence of human rights and notes that the fight against trafficking in human beings is a priority in this field;

      Consequently, the Assembly,

i.       condemns the existence of any channel for the trafficking of human beings, particularly as such practices are fundamentally contrary to human rights;

ii.       asks all governments concerned to take firm action against these practices which are connected with the processing of requests for asylum;

iii.       decides to obtain further information on the practices and extent of the new channels and the consequences which result therefrom.

Signed: 1

Staes, Belgium, EPP

Beaufays, Belgium, EPP

Bribosia-Picard, Belgium, EPP

Clerfayt, Belgium, LDR

De Decker, Belgium, LDR

Eyskens, Belgium, EPP

Ghesquière, Belgium, EPP

Henry, Belgium, SOC

Maximus, Belgium, SOC

Urbain, Belgium, SOC

Weyts, Belgium, EPP

1 ¹       SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People's Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: Not registered