Red card to forced prostitution

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly President Rene van der Linden urged organisations of member states as well as the European Community to adhere to the Convention on action against trafficking in human beings.

He stressed that, after drugs and arms, trafficking in human beings represents the third most lucrative criminal business. Estimates of the number of victims vary from 120,000 to 500,000. He said that in Europe trafficking in human beings is above all synonymous with forced prostitution, which is a crime and a blatant violation of human rights.

On the occasion of this year's World Cup in Germany, a strong temporary rise in the demand for sexual services is expected. This represents a considerable risk of an increase in forced prostitution.

The Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings offers the necessary legal means to prosecute traffickers, to better protect victims, safeguard their rights and fight trafficking.

It opened for signature on May 16, 2005, but has so far been signed by only 28 of the 46 member states and not ratified by any member state. It is high time to take resolute action. As the organiser of the World Cup, Germany could take the lead and set an example by ratifying the Convention, Mr van der Linden concluded.