UK opt-out from fight against trafficking condemned

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Nov 2003

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman and Euro-MP for London has urged David Blunkett to renounce the UK 'opt-out' from a new EU measure which could see human traffickers and smugglers of illegal immigrants jailed while the victims are protected.

EU justice & home affairs Ministers have reached agreement on granting a short term residency permit to victims of human traffickers or illegal immigration networks who co-operate with law enforcement. They would also receive assistance to help them get their lives back on track.

Sarah Ludford said:

"I strongly welcome this important European advance in the fight against traffickers and smugglers. I am only sorry that the UK government has turned its back on this sensible law, passing up the chance to put traffickers behind bars."

"Maybe the obstacle is that this is a humanitarian measure as well as a criminal justice one, since victims will be given a breathing space rather than be instantly deported. The latter hits the tabloid headlines, but does nothing to catch the mafia gangs against whom evidence is crucial."

Notes:

The residence permit will be granted if a victim's co-operation and evidence proves to be useful for the investigation and prosecution of trafficking or smuggling gangs, if the person has demonstrated a clear intention of co-operating and if they have cut off all links with the traffickers. The permit is expected to last for at least six months but it can be withdrawn at any moment if the victim no longer co-operates or if the affair is closed.

The UK, like Ireland and Denmark, will not apply this directive because 6 years ago they negotiated opt-outs from measures related to immigration and asylum. The UK, which cited its wish to maintain its border controls, can however opt in on case by case basis, as it does for asylum measures and for other measures against illegal immigration.