EU law toughens penalties for traffickers

LAST month, the European Parliament passed a new EU law designed to make traffickers in human beings face tougher penalties for their crime and to ensure victims would be entitled to better protection and assistance.

It said the new rules were to apply to trafficking in the sex industry or labour exploitation in, for example, construction work, farming or domestic service.

“With this legislation we will create a tougher environment for the human traffickers and stronger protection for the victims,” said Civil Liberties Committee rapporteur Anna Hedh. “We also have to work on the roots of human trafficking, such as the demand for services. The human body is not a commodity that can be used and sold for money.”