This new Directive (2011/36/EU) obligates states to adopt a policy that focuses on protection of victims in all their laws and procedures.
In this context, the Spanish network against trafficking (Red Española Contra la Trata de las Personas – RECTP) – which is a member of the Doctors of the World (Spain) – was requested by candidates for election to commit to combat trafficking, and foremost to protect the victims, transforming the Directive into law on victims of trafficking.
The network believes that in recent years the Spanish state has helped to combat trafficking by signing and ratifying the European Convention of the Council of Europe anti-trafficking (trade in people) in 2008 (Warsaw Pact), also starting the program I against human trafficking for sexual exploitation by the Ministry of Gender (2009 – 2011) and notified other legal mechanisms.
However, the Network believes that these efforts are not enough and that Spain has failed to incorporate a policy based on victims’ rights in practice.
In 2010, only 44 of 1605 identifiable victims sought recovery time and reflection about what had happened to them. This really low number indicates the failure to protect and assist victims, which in many cases appear to be sufficiently knowledgeable about their rights and about the opportunities available to them.
Until now, Spain has produced results in the mobilization in police and prosecutorial level, but there is no evidence for the effective protection of victims’ rights.
These organizations – members and associates of the Network (RECTP) hope the next Legislature to maintain what has been achieved to date and be done with regard to protecting the rights of victims through the following mechanisms:
• Edit of a law protecting the rights of victims of trafficking and the adoption of a new integrated program against human trafficking.
• Evaluation of Program I against human trafficking for sexual exploitation and integration of the data yielded the new program against trafficking.
• Recognition of the right of victims to claim and to have international protection in accordance with Law 12/2009 outline of a buffer of asylum and aid flows, removing the existing misunderstandings in everyday life for the recognition of refugee status collectively.
• Adopt measures and concrete tools to address the problem especially for vulnerable groups such as younger age.
• Specialized training for all relevant business areas.
• Improving coordination between the competent authorities for the identification and origin of the victims
• Creation of an organization dedicated to guarantee the exercise of the rights of victims.
• Collect and publish data and statistics on the actual situation of trafficking in Spain.
• Prevent exploitation through research on the current situation.
• Campaigning for social awareness on the actual dimensions of trafficking.
• Recognition of the importance of the role of specialized agencies that are active in the identity verification process, information, counseling and assessment of status of the victim.
Assistants in this communication:
Organizations – members of the Spanish Network against trafficking: APRAMP, AIETI (Asociación para la Investigación y Especialización sobre Temas Iberoamericanos), CEAR, CONFER, Fundación Cruz Blanca, Fundación IEPALA (Instituto de Estudios Políticos para América Latina y África), Médicos del Mundo , Mujeres en Zona de Conflicto, Proyecto Esperanza, Tierra de hombres, Women’s Link Worldwide, Red Cántabra contra la Trata y la Xarxa Catalana, Save the Children
Partners of the Spanish Network against trafficking: ACNUR, Amnistía Internacional, Cáritas, Cruz Roja, CONFER (Confederación de Religiosos de España)