UK hosts conference to fight human trafficking across Europe

24/10/2005

The work of the Crown Prosecution Service and the police will be part of a Europe-wide conference on human trafficking and illegal immigration just a week after three people in Sheffield were jailed for up to 21 years for trafficking women into the sex trade.

During the conference, criminal justice representatives from across Europe will hear Glynn Rankin from the Crown Prosecution Service, together with Richard Southwell from the Metropolitan Police, explain the UK approach to fighting illegal immigration crime.

Crown Prosecutor Mr Rankin said: "Recent successful convictions have shown that we can tackle these large, complex investigations which cross national boundaries and bring to justice the evil people who traffic in human misery - no matter where they are from.

"At meetings such as these with our partners in the criminal justice systems across Europe, we discuss how we can work together to prevent and combat human trafficking through international co-operation, sharing best practice and improving the effectiveness of prosecutions."

Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said: "Human trafficking is an appalling crime - a form of modern day slavery. It is a key priority during our Presidency of the EU and today's seminar with Eurojust is an important step in bringing together all those involved in the prosecution of serious organised crime and ensuring greater EU cooperation in tackling people trafficking.

"The long sentences handed down to three people in Sheffield, following their recent conviction for human trafficking and false imprisonment, illustrates the impact of effective policing and judicial cooperation. It sends a tough message to those criminals who seek to profit from this abhorrent trade."

The Strategic Meeting on Trafficking on Human Beings and Illegal Immigration Crime is organised by Eurojust and sponsored by the Home Office as part of the United Kingdom's European Union Presidency. Representatives of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the United Nations and other EU and international bodies will be speaking and sharing best practice.

The President of Eurojust, Mike Kennedy, explained that during the conference there will be two discussion groups. In the first discussion group, delegates will have the opportunity to discuss and give feedback on:

• New work being taken forward by the Commission and Council on an EU plan on best practices;
• Standards and mechanisms to prevent and combat human trafficking as set out in The Hague Programme;
• The implications of the new Council of Europe convention on human trafficking;
• The initiative to provide standard anti-trafficking training for judges and prosecutors.

As part of the discussions, Mr Kennedy said, delegates are encouraged to talk about any national plans, best practices, arrangements for victims and training for prosecutors or judges so that an overview of national, EU and Council of Europe initiatives and activities can be developed and any gaps identified.

Mr Kennedy said: "The second discussion group will focus on casework and the three different approaches presented in the case studies. During the discussions delegates are encouraged to discuss their casework experiences as practitioners by providing relevant casework examples identifying good and bad practices."

Notes to Editors

1. The conference takes place on Monday, October 24, 2005, and Tuesday, October 25, 2005, at the Hilton Hotel, Gatwick.

 

There will be an opportunity for the media to conduct interviews at the end of the first day. Media bids should be directed to: Joannes Thuy, Eurojust Press Office, mobile: +31 645 666 731; email: jthuy@eurojust.eu.int

2. Presentations on the first day include:

 

• Commission and Council Plan 2005 to Develop Common Standards and Best Practices to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, by Jrgen Merz, European Commission
• Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings by Gianluca Esposito, Council of Europe
• European Standard Module for Anti-Trafficking, Training of Judges and Prosecutors in Europe (AGIS project) by Elisa Trossero, International Centre for Migration Policy Development.
3. Examples of cases:

 

1. On October 18, 2005, at Sheffield Crown Court, Kosovan Tasim Axhami was sentenced to 21 years; Albanian Emilijan Beqirat, 16 years; Lithuanian Vilma Kizlaite, 11 years. All three were convicted of trafficking women and sex trafficking as well as other charges.
2. On September 16, 2005, Viktoras Larcenko was jailed for 10 years at Southwark Crown Court for trafficking in prostitution. He was the last member of the gang to be sentenced; the gang received sentences totalling 51 years. A press release is available on this website - CPS continues fight against sex trade traffickers
3. On December 2003, the CPS secured the conviction of Albanian trafficker Luan Plakici. His sentence was subsequently increased to 23 years on appeal in 2004. A press release is available on this website - Groundbreaking sentence increase for human trafficker
4. Eurojust is a European Union body based in The Hague, established in 2002 in order to enhance the effectiveness of the competent investigating and prosecuting authorities within Member States when they are dealing with the investigation and prosecution of serious and organized cross-border crime. Each of the 25 EU Member States is represented within Eurojust by a National Member being a prosecutor, investigator, or judge and it is the first permanent network of its kind. More information about Eurojust can be found on its website at www.eurojust.eu.int
5. UK National Member and President of Eurojust is Mike Kennedy. Mr Kennedy was the Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Sussex until his appointment as the UK representative at Provisional Eurojust in 2001. He was appointed President of Eurojust in July 2002.
6. For CPS matters contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8180.
7. For Eurojust matters contact Joannes Thuy, Eurojust Press Officer, mobile: +31 645 666 731; email: jthuy@eurojust.eu.int