30/07/2020
On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, held today, the programme launches a statement together with specialist Ibero-American prosecutors
This joint Declaration, which is significantly launched today, 30 July, as it is World Day against Trafficking in Persons, emanates from the joint work between the Ibero-American Network of Prosecutors against Corruption, the Network of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants from the AIAMP andEUROsociAL+, an EU programme led by FIIAPP. This document aims to strengthen the fight against corruption as a facilitator of trafficking in women and girls from within public institutions.
Corruption, as an abuse of power for private gain, is a fundamental factor for the operation of human trafficking networks, since it facilitates crime and allows the criminal structures to act with impunity. The corruption associated with trafficking can manifest itself along the entire criminal chain, but also in the justice or victim protection systems. Examples of this type of corruption include the periodic collection of money or sexual favours in exchange for silence or impunity by public officials or situations where it is the officials themselves who control the illegal business or are members of the network.
The Declaration was created with the aim of raising awareness and improving public responses to corruption cases related to human trafficking, as well as of pursuing the element of facilitation, that is, focused on the public authorities that allow this criminal business to take place. For this reason, it offers specific recommendations, such as encouraging whistleblowing on the corruption associated with trafficking (with lines for assistance and whistleblowing with a differentiated focus on anti-corruption matters), or promoting spaces for exchange and training between institutions (through joint action protocols, etc.).
This joint work between the Ibero-American Network of Prosecutors against Corruption, the AIAMP Network for Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and EUROsociAL+ aims, ultimately, to rebuild citizens’ trust in their public institutions.
