A text adopted by a large majority, with 563 votes for and 7 votes against. This Tuesday, April 23, the European Parliament definitively adopted a revision of the directive against trafficking in human beings in order to include forced marriage, illegal adoption, but also surrogacy (GPA) in the list of Eurocrimes.
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These new provisions will come into force twenty days after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States have two years to implement this plan, which will criminalize the use of services provided by the victim of an offense linked to human trafficking, when the user knows that this person is being exploited. Sanctions will also be provided for companies found guilty of trafficking.
“Make the most of this directive”
After the adoption of the directive, political leaders of the European Parliament were quick to react. “ New forms of exploitation will be criminalized and the rights of victims, including those of migrants, will be improved », welcomed the co-rapporteur of the text, the Swedish Malin Björk.
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And to add: “ We have started a change, Member States must now make the most of this directive and ensure that women and girls are not bought and sold in Europe. »
