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Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA

Document number
2700
Date
2011
Title
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA
Author/publisher
Council of the European Union, the European Union (EU)
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
EU law, Guidelines/Recommendations, Meeting Documentation/Conference Reports,
Keywords
Victims (of trafficking), Trafficked persons, Criminal proceedings; Legal assistance, Civil Law Suit, Human trafficking cases, Compensation, National Referral Mechanisms; Victim support services; Restitution; Remuneration; Individual complaint mechanisms; Assistance, Residence permit, Reintegration, Social assistance, Rehabilitation, Reflection period, Repatriation; Return; Redress, Protection, Social inclusion; Residence permit;
Summary
The new directive widens the definition of the offences. Trafficking in view of forced begging or labour, and the removal of organs, for instance, or the sheer attempt to commit such an offence will be punishable. The text also includes a provision which will allow national authorities not to prosecute or impose penalties on victims of trafficking for crimes they have been compelled to commit. Member states shall ensure that assistance and support are provided to victims before, during and after criminal proceedings so that they can exercise their rights on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings. Additional provisions apply to child victims, such as provision of physical and psychological and social assistance. National authorities will also have to ensure that victims of trafficking have access to compensation in the case of violent intentional crimes, where possible. Prevention should include information and awareness raising campaigns, research and regular training for officials. The directive is to be implemented in member states by March 2013.
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