The Strasbourg Parliament is asking to "enforce all over the EU the European policy against the trade of human beings" which often fuels prostitution. This is the first of the many guidelines specified in a report that was passed today by the Assembly of the 25 member states on the strategies against the exploitation of women and children. The Act dwells upon "the strengthening of criminal proceedings against and the repression of traffickers as well as informed customers". The floor stated that there is a need to join efforts by the Commission and the EU Council, called for a new visa policy and "connections with actions against legal and clandestine immigration". In addition, "there is the need to fight the use of the Internet for illegal purposes", promote "awareness-raising campaigns" and take appropriate measures during the World Football Championship 2006 against "sexual tourism". The reporter, Austrian MP Christa Prets, explained that "of the 600/800 thousand people a year that are the victims of the international trade of human beings, approximately 80% are women and girls, and approximately 50% are children" doomed to "sexual exploitation". Mrs Prets urged other priority efforts: to develop "clear legal grounds against any form of violence" towards women and children; keep investigating the causes that are behind this trade; deter demand, "also through educational, legal, social and cultural measures"; create 24-hour telephone numbers; establish "a Fight Day" that could fall on the same date as the world campaign "Stop the Traffic", on March 25th.
