Please find enclosed the report and the documentation of the EU Ministerial Conference Towards Global EU Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings which took place on 19-20 October 2009 at the Palais dEgmont in Brussels. Additional Conference materials and photos can be found at IOMs Vienna website (www.iomvienna.at).
The Conference reiterated that the response to human trafficking must involve all aspects of Justice and Home Affairs as well as a wide range of policy areas, including development cooperation, external relations, social affairs, employment, gender equality and good governance, in partnership with non-governmental organizations and civil society. It also called upon all relevant stakeholders to confront the challenges posed by this transnational crime and human rights violation, and to provide an unambiguous and comprehensive response towards a multidisciplinary, coherent and coordinated policy involving all actors concerned in countries of origin, transit and destination.
The Conference arrived at a generally agreed approach on a number of crucial objectives in order to fight the ever-growing and changing crime of trafficking in human beings which were included in the Conference Declaration.
The Ministerial Conference also contributed to the elaboration of an Action Oriented Paper which has been adopted by the Council on December 1st 2009.
In case you have any questions or you would like additional information please contact Ms. Eurídice Márquez, Counter-Trafficking Coordinator at IOM Vienna (emarquez@iom.int).