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Background Study on Basic Principles for a Code of Conduct within the Member States of the European Union to Prevent and Combat Traffic in Women

Document number
1216
Date
1996
Title
Background Study on Basic Principles for a Code of Conduct within the Member States of the European Union to Prevent and Combat Traffic in Women
Author/publisher
Trijntje Koostra, STV (Dutch Foundation against Trafficking in Women)
Availability
LSI library
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Prevention, Awareness Raising, Media, Information Campaigns, Empowerment, Advocacy, Civil society, NGO, Human Rights approach, Activism, Education, Training; Women's rights; Women; Control and regulation of prostitution, Protection, Punishable forms of prostitution, Human Rights approach, Integrated approach; EU instruments; International Human Rights Law, International cooperation; Inter-organisational co-operation, Multi-agency approach, International law; Holistic approach, National Rapporteurs;
Summary
Traffic in women is now high on the political agenda in the European Union, This political momentum should be used to establish a coherent policy of co-operation and co-ordination, at all levels. The immediate cause of this investigation was the request stipulated by the Dutch government to investigate and evaluate the measures proposed and taken within the European Union Member States with regard to the issue of traffic in women. During its presidency of the European Unions from January until July 1997, the Dutch government intends to present a set of 'Basic Principles for a Code of Conduct within the Member States of the European Union to Prevent and Combat Traffic in Women'. The investigation at hand should serve as a background study to those Basic Principles. This investigation is divided in three parts: In the FIRST PART, a minimum definition of traffic in women is formulated, taking force in its multiple form as the core element, including abusive recruitment practices and living and working conditions amounting to forced labour and slavery-like practices. In the SECOND PART, the measures taken and proposed within the European Union Member States are being considered, both on the governmental and the non-governmental level. In the THIRD PART, some comparisons are made and conclusions are drawn. The Background Study links up closely with the international investigation on world-wide traffic in women, carried out by the Dutch Foundation against Traffic in Women (STV) in collaboration with the Global Alliance against Trafficking in Women (GAATW) upon the request of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy.
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