Speech by EU Commission Vice-President Frattini on "Forced Prostitution in the Framework of World Sports Events"

Speech by Vice-President Frattini, European Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security. Seminar in the European Parliament, Brussels.

Sport has a social significance and plays a particular role in forging identity and bringing people together. However, a mega event like Olympic Games or a World Cup Football Tournament contains both chances and risks. It is our common concern and certainly the interest of the large majority of football fans that the true values of sport will be promoted and not, on the contrary, perverted. In this light, we are very glad that the world of sport and football in particular is increasingly mobilising itself to fight the repugnant phenomena of racism and xenophobia, efforts that the EU will support as far at it can.

I remember very well the debate in January about the European Parliament's Resolution on strategies to prevent the trafficking in women and children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Number 29 of the resolution addresses the issue of forced prostitution in the context of the World Cup Football Tournament 2006. In accordance with what I said in the plenary session on 17th January I sent a letter to my German colleague in the Ministry for Home Affairs and drew his attention to the concerns raised in the European Parliament. I am sure that the relevant German Ministries are aware of the problem and will do their best in order to comply with this challenge.

The prevention of and the fight against the exploitation of persons, notably forced prostitution, is one of the Commission's very priorities. The Commission reiterated this position in its Communication of October 2005 against trafficking in human beings. In particular, the Commission

underlined that in order to effectively address this crime an integrated approach is needed, having as its fundament the respect of human rights and calling for a coordinated policy response. Such response must also address pull factors such as particularly favourable conditions for forced prostitution in the context of big international events. This includes implementing gender equality principles and eliminating the demand for all forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation.

Moreover, the Commission is committed to implement and further develop the EU plan on best practices, standards and procedures for combating and preventing trafficking in human beings, which was adopted on 1st December 2005. In accordance with this action plan special emphasis must be given to the development by the Council and the Commission of EU campaign materials in cooperation with the NGO community. In this context, particular attention has to be paid to international sports events. In the last meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 21 February the importance of fully implementing the EU Plan against trafficking in human beings was explicitly stressed with regard to the World Cup Football tournament. However, the action plan should not be seen as a short term measure but as incentive for a longer process where continuously more attention is devoted to the fight against human trafficking, notably for the purpose of forced prostitution.

Furthermore, the Commission will examine practical options for an EU Anti Trafficking Day to increase public awareness. This should be prepared in close cooperation with the EU Council Presidency and the Member States as well with civil society representatives since such an initiative should be supported by the widest possible range of actors. It is hardly possible to officially launch such a day already on 25 March 2006. However, the Commission will look at other practical options, either an alternative date later this year or 25th March 2007 - which doesn't exclude appropriate campaigns in 2006. Moreover, programmes such as Daphne will continue to be used for financial support of projects addressing human trafficking as violence against children, young people and women. Such projects can also focus on the role of sport in this context.

This summer the floodlight will draw the eyes of the whole world to - hopefully - exciting and entertaining football matches. But we are also responsible for those who may suffer only some meters away, outside the brightness of the event.

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