Turning children’s rights commitment into good practices

Recommendations for the implementation of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive.

As civil society organisations with decades of experience at national, EU and international level in promoting and defending children’s rights, we welcome the revision of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive. The strengthening of the measures in the Directive marks progress in improving prevention responses while identifying, protecting, and supporting victims of trafficking. We value the inclusion of new forms of trafficking, such as illegal adoption, exploitation of surrogacy and forced marriage and the recognition of the heightened vulnerability to trafficking for children from institutions.

Based on the measures envisaged in the Directive, we, namely Eurochild, Hope and Homes for Children, Lumos, Missing Children Europe, European Disability Forum, ECPAT International, Child Identity Protection, World Without Orphans Europe, Child Helpline International, International Social Service, Romania Without Orphans Alliance, Tzuby’s Kids and Tearfund Ireland, are offering a set of recommendations for its implementation to the European Commission and the Member States.

We call on the European Commission to:

• Consider a public consultation on the implementation guidance for Member States.
• Ensure meaningful engagement with civil society and children and monitor its implementation.
• Ensure that the implementation of the Directive is enabled through appropriate resourcing at EU and national levels.

We call on the Member States to:

• Ensure that the appointed National Anti-Trafficking Coordinators or other coordinating bodies are aware of the specific risk factors for child trafficking, such as poverty and lack of access to services
• Ensure that the independent bodies to be established in line with the Directive monitor the implementation and impact of anti-trafficking actions regarding children in vulnerable situations.
• Ensure that the national plans to prevent trafficking in human beings are cross-referenced with the EC Recommendation on integrated child protection systems and contain measures addressing all children, including those living in residential institutions.
• Ensure the national plans include measures for cooperation between child protection systems and trafficking referral mechanisms.
• Prioritise family and community-based care for child victims.
• Ensure that stronger safeguards are put in place to prevent the disappearance of unaccompanied migrant children.
• Recognise the key role of child helplines and missing children hotlines in protecting children from trafficking.
• Secure tailored approaches to victims with disabilities.
• Train professionals likely to come into contact with child victims of trafficking with support needs.
• Ensure the enhancement and maintenance of reliable and safe data management processes for child victims of trafficking.
• Ensure that child protection actions are informed and shaped by children’s lived experiences and views, which should be handled safely and aligned with child rights and protection policies.
• Ensure child participation in all decisions concerning their lives in accordance with their age and maturity.
• Ensure meaningful engagement with civil society organisations with relevant experience and expertise.

We look forward to working with the European Commission and Member States to translate the Directive into robust provisions and effective measures at the national level.

To read the full joint statement with recommendations, please click here.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Francesca Pisanu, Eurochild EU Advocacy Officer.