New Belgian Action plan to combat trafficking in human beings
The Belgian Minister of Justice and the State Secretary for Immigration and Asylum have presented a new national action plan to combat trafficking in human beings and human smuggling to the Belgian Council of Ministers.
The new plan succeeds the first action plan (approved in 2008) and it will form the basis for a concrete approach for the two coming years. A few examples: a more severe policy of prosecution of accomplices and perpetrators, campaigns to inform the public, recognition of specialized facilities for the reception of victims.
The new action plan is more concrete and pragmatic than the former. In general terms, the plan contains preventive elements, protection of victims, and tracing and sentencing of traffickers. Special attention is given to the situation of persons of foreign origin in a vulnerable position. In 19 propositions emphasis is put on realistic measures that can be executed within a limited timeframe. A few examples: a more severe policy of prosecution of accomplices and perpetrators, campaigns to inform the public, recognition of specialized facilities for the reception of victims.