Success in the campaign to fight child trafficking (Medway Liberal Democrats)

Medway Liberal Democrats <info@medwaylibdems.org.uk>

Success in the campaign to fight child trafficking

September 29, 2008 1:00 PM
Originally published by Sharon Bowles MEP

A campaign in the European Parliament against global child trafficking has moved to the next stage. The Written Declaration, signed by Sharon, has been successful in securing over half of the Parliament's 785 MEPs, and will now be debated in the chamber.

Sharon has been campaigning on this important issue. As well as signing the Written Declaration, she was one of the members of a group from the European liberals which launched the Say No! campaign. This online campaign calls for greater protection and support for children, an international exchange of police information on traveling sex offenders and a more responsible travel industry. The campaign to-date has already received over 22,000 signatures with support from most countries in the world.

Commenting, Sharon said:

"I am delighted that this Written Declaration has got the necessary backing from MEPs so that it can be taken on to the next stage.

"Trafficking of children is an appalling trade which draws in billions of pounds every year. It is estimated that over 2 million children globally are enslaved into the commercial sex trade with reports suggesting that some as young as five are prostituted. These children are incredibly vulnerable and need support and protection.

"We need Member States to ensure that anti-trafficking measures are a high priority in their child protection strategies. In addition, all Member States must sign and ratify the Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings - the UK has still not ratified this.

"There will now be a high profile debate in the European Parliament which will help us get this subject further up the agenda and help MEPs push for more action to bring a long-overdue end to child trafficking."