International conference on combatting human trafficking

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Sep 2002

Sarah Ludford chaired a major international conference on combating human trafficking co-organised by the European Union and held in the European Parliament September 18/19 2002. She introduced M. Antoine Duquesne the Belgian Minister of Justice who opened the session on police and judicial co-operation.

Said Sarah:

"There are many aspects to the problem of trafficking in human beings - which frequently means sex slavery for women and children. These include poverty, protection of victims, gender equality, and illegal immigration. But law enforcement, to get the organised criminals making fortunes out of human misery, must be one of the top priorities. Human trafficking must be combated with the same seriousness and commitment as terrorism."

The Liberal Democrats are debating trafficking in human beings at their party conference in Brighton on September 24th.