Child exploitation in Albania, response from the Commission.
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3612/01
Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission
(8 January 2002)
Subject: Illegal trafficking and exploitation of children in Albania
Response from Mr. Patten on behalf of the Commission
(1 February 2002)
Human trafficking is a matter of concern in Albania. The Commission, along with the member states and other relevant international organizations and NGOs, has assisted the Albanian authorities in addressing it. Despite these efforts and a number of significant recent initiatives, such as the establishment of a center to combat human trafficking in Vlorë (supported by Germany, Greece, and Italy) and the approval of a strategy by the Albanian government to combat trafficking, there is still much room for action in Albania to reduce activities related to human trafficking.
In the national strategy document for Albania for 2002-2006(1), the Commission identified justice and internal affairs (including the fight against organized crime and human trafficking) as a primary area of priority for providing financial support from the Community. For the implementation of projects in this area, the Commission will certainly develop coordinated action with all relevant organizations and institutions, both in Albania and at the international level. These projects will aim, among other things, at dismantling the gangs involved in the trafficking and exploitation of children and supporting Albania’s ongoing progress in implementing the guidelines for combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, which were approved by the Parliament in June 2001.
C/2001/4394