Human trafficking in EU on rise

The number of people being trafficked in and to Europe increased by 18 percent from 2008 to 2010, according to a first report on trafficking in human beings in Europe, published today by the European Commission. About 23.632 people were identified victims of trafficking in the EU over the 2008-2010 period. Most victims detected in EU countries citizens from Romania and Bulgaria. Most victims having citizenship outside of the EU states are from Nigeria and China, said the report. Despite this worrying situation, only 6 out of the 27 EU Member States have fully transposed the EU Anti-Trafficking law into their national legislation, with the deadline having expired on 6 April. "It is difficult to imagine that in our free and democratic EU countries tens of thousands of human beings can be deprived of their liberty and exploited, traded as commodities for profit," Cecilia Malmstrom, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, told a press conference presenting the report. "I am very disappointed to see that, despite these alarming trends, only a few countries have implemented the anti-trafficking legislation and I urge those who have not yet done so to respect their obligations," she added.