The exploitative surrogacy, forced marriage and illegal adoptions They are already new European crimes, after the European Parliament (PE) gave the green light this Tuesday to add them to the directive against human trafficking, with 563 votes in favor, seven against and 17 abstentions. A reform of the 2011 law that materializes after an agreement was reached in January to include these three crimes as types of exploitation and penalize them with sentences of up to five years in prison or 10 if it is an aggravated crime.
“Twelve years after the adoption of the directive, the European Parliament has had to review the rules of the European Union, since trafficking has become more sophisticated and the resources at our disposal continue to be rudimentary”, defended MarÃa Eugenia RodrÃguez Palop, MEP elected by Unidas Podemos and now close to Sumar, who during her speech in the European Parliament has valued the “step forward” that is taken with this reform.
Now, the Council must formally approve the text, which will come into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and Member States will have a period of two years to apply all its provisions.
The non-consensual dissemination of images as an aggravating circumstance
The initiative seeks to extend European action beyond labor and sexual exploitation, which is why they have added forced marriage and illegal adoption. However, regarding surrogacy – also known as surrogacy – it will not be considered a form of trafficking. per sebut It will be penalized only when it is used for reproductive exploitation purposes.
Furthermore, the directive allows judges to consider the non-consensual dissemination of sexual images or videos as aggravating circumstances when passing sentence. Likewise, and with the aim of reducing the demand for exploitation, it makes it a crime for a user to use the services provided by a victim if he or she is aware that she is being exploited.
The text introduces sanctions for companies convicted of trafficking, including their exclusion from bidding processes and the receipt of public aid. It also establishes the need for the competent authorities in charge of asylum to coordinate among themselves so that victims of trafficking receive adequate support and protection; and gives the prosecutors the possibility that victims will not be prosecuted for criminal acts they committed under duress and that they have the right to receive support and attention regardless of whether or not they cooperate in judicial investigations.
“We have started a change, and now Member States must make the most of this Directive and ensure that women and girls are not bought and sold in Europe,” urged Swedish Left MEP Malin Björk.
