BSPC Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings

Johan Linander, MP, Sweden, BSPC Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings (THB), was keynote speaker at the Knowledge Forum on Trafficking in Human Beings, arranged by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Estonia on 24 April. Linander stressed the availability of a wealth of information about THB, and what is needed now is concrete action on all fronts. He recapitulated the political recommendations of the BSPC WG on THB and reaffirmed the political support from the parliamentarians of the Baltic Sea Region in combatting this modern expression of slavery. The seminar displayed a broad line-up of practical expertise in dealing with THB, which showed that the fight makes headway, but need continuous resurces and political support. The following day, Linander moderated a trilateral seminar on THB under the auspices of Baltic Assembly, Nordic Council, and the Benelux Parliament. Highlighting the 10 concise and concrete political recommendations of the BSPC Rapporteur on THB , he concluded that we have knowledge about the problem, we have knowledge about possible means of dealing with it, and we have knowledge about the political and economic support needed to sustain the fight: ”we do not need more reports and studies; what we need now is solid action on the ground”.

On March 15, the Swedish Parliament hosted a seminar on regional cooperation of the police in anti-trafficking work, arranged by the European network Parliamentarians Against Human Trafficking (PAHT). The seminar attracted MPs, experts and NGOs from several European countries. Johan Linander and André Oktay Dahl, BSPC Rapporteurs on Trafficking in Human Beings, and Maria Stenberg, Nordic Council, participated as facilitators and speakers. “Trafficking in human beings is an international crime that requires forceful and coordinated international action” Linander said. “Seminars like this enable useful networking and knowledge exchange” Oktay Dahl emphasized. Stenberg stressed that “it is now necessary to intensify international cooperation and coordination between politicians, experts and NGO´s at all levels”. PAHT aims at developing a European network of parliamentarians working to combat human trafficking in order to promote and develop cross-border cooperation and mutual understanding. Furhter information