1. International Developments 1998/1999

United Nations Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings, proposed by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) encompasses the most comprehensive and progressive means for combating the illegal trafficking of human, developed in 1999. The programme will assess regional and international trends, evaluate promising practices world wide and carry out demonstration projects in selected countries or regions. The 36 month programme set to take place in the year 2000, will consist of an integrated package of policy-oriented research and targeted technical cooperation involving the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, other United Nations entities, Member States, intergovernmental organizations, including the European Union, the academic community, Non-Governmental organizations and other organizations involved in addressing the illegal trafficking of human beings. In the final phase, of the four phase programme, a global strategy against the smuggling and trafficking of human beings will be developed in consultation with relevant national and international organizations. It will be presented to the international community for adoption at a global forum organized in 2002.

European Parliament Proposal for the DAPHNE Programme, supported by European Commission, encompasses 49 new projects to combat violence against women and children, announced on January 21, 1999. Awaiting adoption by the Council of Ministers, the programme which will address concentrated efforts to reduce the illegal trafficking of human beings, is set to take place from 2000-2004.

European Conference held on February 18-19 in Trier, Germany explored the emerging European migration regimen, focusing on the 1997 Amsterdam Treaty, which has yet to be ratified by all Member States. As Schengen member countries had to agree on common national visa policies, they also developed the Schengen Information System, the Eurodoc database, into national migration and police systems. The database is helping to ensure that illegal migrants and traffickers will not be admissible to the Schengen countries. Ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty was a central concern of the Conference, as if were in force all EU Members would have to consult other Schengen countries prior to unilateral national migration legislation.

Asian Declaration on Migration, resulted from an 18 nation symposium held April 24-28 in Bangkok. Including 18 action items that were agreed upon, the symposium goal was to forge practical regional arrangements to deal with smuggling of migrants and trafficking in women and children. The 18 nations were urged to amend and review laws and legal procedures, focusing on the exchange of information and greater public awareness campaigns. Item action # 8) " Participating countries and regimes should be encouraged to pass legislation to criminalize smuggling of and trafficking in human beings, especially women and children in all of its forms and purposes, including sources of cheap labour and to cooperate in the prosecution and incarceration of all offenders, especially international organized criminal groups."

2. National Government Compliance and Developments 1998/1999

Birmingham Commitments 1998: " We are deeply concerned by all forms of trafficking in human beings including the smuggling of migrants. We agreed to joint action to combat trafficking in women and children, including efforts to prevent such crimes, protect victims and prosecute the traffickers. We commit ourselves to develop a multidisciplinary and comprehensive strategy, including principles and an action plan for future cooperation amongst ourselves and with third countries, including countries of origin, transit and destination to tackle this problem. We consider the future comprehensive United Nations organized crime convention an important instrument for this purpose."

France: Score: 0
Germany: Score: 0
Italy: Score: 0
Japan: Score: +1

Summary:
According to the above mentioned 1998 Commitment on the Illegal Trafficking of Human Beings; Germany, France, Italy and Japan have each satisfied the aforesaid goals according to the developments of 1) the United Nations Global Programme against the Trafficking in Human Beings, 2) the DAPHNE Programme and 3) the Asian Declaration on Migration. In each instance joint action was taken, a multidisciplinary strategy developed and various action plans for future cooperation were put in place. In addition both the Italian and French governments' ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty in June 1998 and January 1999 respectively, have helped to strengthen these commitments.

Reports produced by Jenn Wagner, June 1999