INTERVIEW
BRUSSELS , BELGIUM
Mr . Onidi , the November 2019 UNGA Third Committee Resolution on Improving the Coordination Efforts against Trafficking in Human Begins includes a ground-breaking reference to the mandate of the EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator . In your own words , how would you describe the role of the EU ATC
A : This role supports the implementation of the European Commission ’ s anti-trafficking objectives including via improving coordination and coherence , to avoid duplication of effort and cooperate with relevant stakeholders within and outside the EU . The European Union ’ s anti-trafficking action tackles trafficking in human beings as a particularly serious or organized crime in relation to other initiatives , such as the EU Security Union Strategy and with links to migration and other policy areas .
What motivates you in your daily efforts to counter trafficking in human beings ?
I oversee security policies as a Deputy-Director General of the Directorate-General Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission , including the area of organized crime and trafficking in human beings since May 2016 and I am deeply concerned about this phenomenon . Patterns and trends with regard to victims have not changed . Traffickers continue targeting the most vulnerable people , including women and children . Trafficking for sexual exploitation , a horrific crime , is a form of violence against women and girls , persists within the European Union , with other grave violations of people ’ s rights , including trafficking for labour exploitation , for exploitation of criminal activities , forced begging , for organ removal . Traffickers ’ adapt their operational methods swiftly . In this field , a European Union action with cross-border dimension has enormous added value . This is the case in the joint cooperation of national authorities , including law enforcement and judicial bodies with support of EU agencies , such as Europol and Eurojust , civil society and international organizations . Trafficking offences are against our core values , these are grave violation of fundamental rights , while criminals take enormous profit from the exploitation of their victims . Acting as EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator from March 2020 means a unique opportunity to contribute to the change coming , as the European Commission currently develops its new EU strategic approach towards the eradication of this crime .
An aspect of the EU ATC role is to improve coordination and coherence among EU institutions , EU agencies , Member States and international actors . What does this look like in practice ?
Since the 2012-2016 EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in human beings , with the 2017 Communication laying down concrete follow up actions to this Strategy , one priority of the European Commission was to enhance coordination and cooperation among key actors for policy coherence . Coordination and cooperation takes place in the established framework , including the EU network of National rapporteurs and equivalent mechanisms , the EU Civil Society Platform against Trafficking in human beings , via the coordination meetings of the 10 EU agencies who signed the joint statement of commitment in 2018 to work together and the inter-service group of European Commission services in relation to other EU policies , such as employment , development , humanitarian aid , neighbourhood policy , external dimension , justice , victims ’ rights , mobility and transport , health , statistics to name a few . The European Commission works closely with the Council , the European Parliament and international partners . The upcoming Third progress report of the European Commission is an excellent example how cooperation and coordination works in practice , as it takes into account the extensive contributions and relevant documents from the stakeholders . It was indispensable that the anti-trafficking work in this framework is not interrupted by the pandemic and we have continued ensuring coherence and consistency via our virtual meetings . I am proud that even under the changed circumstances we were able to seek valuable input from the relevant networks for the new strategic approach of the European Commission against trafficking in human beings , and in addition via the United Nations and via EU delegations outside of the EU .
What are the most recent developments with regard to EU policies on trafficking in human beings that we should all know about ?
Recent EU strategic developments address trafficking in human beings as an EU priority . The new EU Security Union Strategy sets among the main priorities to protect Europeans from organised crime , including trafficking in human beings and foresees further actions in the context . In line with the Security Union strategy , partnerships between the EU and non-EU countries should be stepped up to counter trafficking as common threats .
The recent Communication of the European Commission on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum highlights how trafficking in human beings links to migration , asylum procedures and reception centres . Women and girls at risk may become victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation or other forms of gender-based violence . The early identification of potential non-EU victims is essential and will be further addressed in the new strategic approach towards
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