This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.
In light of the mounting evidence that the migrant and refugee
crisis in Europe is being exploited by gangs and human trafficking
networks to target the most vulnerable individuals, the Parliamentary
Assembly should examine the already ground breaking Council of Europe
Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS No.
197) with a view to making possible recommendations to ensure that
all member States do more to identify and prosecute traffickers,
resulting in convictions. In addition, the Assembly should set out proposals
to strengthen legislation to ensure that victims, once encountered,
are readily identified and are provided with practical, legal and
medical assistance to speed their recovery and reduce risks of further exploitation.
In light of this new and developing situation, the Assembly
should consider how best the Council of Europe can ensure that all
member States work together at an operational level and through
sharing of intelligence, information and data in order to better
intercept trafficking networks and ensure that traffickers are less
likely to profit from the vulnerabilities of people seeking safety
who are caught up in the migrant and refugee crisis.
Furthermore, the Assembly should consider taking further initiatives
to support victims and speed their recovery, whilst recognising
the pioneering work of the Council of Europe Convention and the
essential work of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking
in Human Beings (GRETA). It is unlikely that the current migrant
and refugee crisis will prove to be a short term issue.