Parliamentarians from some 20 European countries converged on London in February 2010 for a seminar on human trafficking organized by the IPU and the UK Parliament. The seminar was opened by John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons. Many non-governmental organizations were also present, testifying perhaps to the need for a grand coalition between parliaments and civil society in tackling this modern form of slavery.
The seminar gave participants the opportunity to discuss what parliaments can do to raise awareness of human trafficking. It reviewed ways in which parliaments can contribute to putting a stop to the misery suffered by thousands of people each year. Participants were treated to graphic accounts of the plight suffered by many people across the world. One lesson learnt from the seminar was that there is no shortage of legislation outlawing trafficking. The challenge for parliamentarians is to have it implemented.
Examples of good practice were presented, including the establishment of cross-party groups of parliamentarians dedicated to marshalling parliamentary action or sharing information through a Europe-wide network.
Participants stressed the unique roles parliamentarians can play. First, by raising the issue in their chamber and speaking to their constituents, parliamentarians can help people understand the issue. Second, they can fight for funding for projects to combat trafficking. Third, they can ensure that legislation in their own parliament is appropriate and commensurate with the problem. Fourth, they can exchange information and best practices with parliamentarians in other countries. The work of the UK All Party Group on Trafficking and the dedication of its chair, Anthony Steen, came in for high praise.
The declaration adopted at the end of the seminar reflects the interest shown by parliamentarians in helping stamp out human trafficking. It urges parliamentarians throughout Europe to develop a better understanding of human trafficking and to join forces to stamp it out by ensuring anti-trafficking legislation is effective. It encourages governments to coordinate and redouble their efforts, in cooperation with international institutions, law enforcement agencies and other bodies to combat trafficking, create a hostile environment for traffickers in all countries, assist in the rehabilitation of victims and, if they have not yet done so, ratify forthwith the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
