Llop explains measures to combat human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation

Llop has been part of the expert panel on Trafficking in Human Beings in Europe and the World 2023. The Impact of Armed Conflict and Inequality, which also included Swedish Justice Minister, Gunnar Strömmer; Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olga Stefanishyna; United Nations (UN) Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten; and European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.

The Justice Minister recalled that "for some years now, Spain has been one of the main destination countries for victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation". Of the total number of victims of trafficking identified in Spain, 61%, "of whom 93% are women and girls", are trafficked for this purpose, she stressed.

Among the factors contributing to the increase in this form of modern slavery, Llop mentioned, from the point of view of demand, its connection with organised crime and the pimp industry, and from the point of view of supply (of the victims) "the inequality that continues to exist between men and women at a global level; the growing economic differences between rich and poor; and the situations of special vulnerability resulting from war, totalitarian regimes or natural disasters".

Legislative measures taken in Spain

Asked about the measures adopted in our country to combat this demand, the Minister for Justice referred to two initiatives that are already underway.

One is the proposal by the Socialist parliamentary group for a law to punish all forms of pimping and the purchase of sexual services. This is from a clear abolitionist perspective.

The second is the Comprehensive Organic Law against Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings, tabled as a Government bill, which "I would like to believe that it has broad political consensus from the outset", she said. A regulation, she continued, "that focuses primarily on victims, to facilitate their detection, identification, counselling, assistance and social reintegration to help them to get out of the trafficking network as soon as possible".

This legislative bill contemplates specific measures aimed at reducing demand, among which the Justice Minister highlighted "awareness campaigns against trafficking or due diligence programmes designed to prevent, detect and avoid it" or the proposal to "introduce a new crime to punish those who contract the services of a trafficked person".

War of aggression against Ukraine

Llop also made special mention of the war of aggression that Ukraine is suffering and the particularly vulnerable situation of the millions of displaced people. This, in turn, leads to an increase in trafficking and exploitation of people, especially women.

After reiterating Spain's support "for measures aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and bringing those responsible to justice", she stressed that "combating the international crimes" committed there "must be a priority in a Europe committed to respecting human rights".

She also recalled the 16,000 Ukrainian minors who have been deported to be handed over to Russian families. She pointed out that this type of situation could also be considered trafficking.

The minister recalled that Spain has already been acting "to prevent human trafficking, giving full protection to displaced Ukrainians, especially minors".

In this sense, the Justice Minister referred to the royal decree of March 2022, with urgent measures in response to the war in Ukraine, through which the Government approved, among other measures, a special system of accreditation for victims of trafficking to facilitate their access to certain services and resources.

She also recalled the reform of the Criminal Code to increase the penalty for trafficking in cases where the victim's situation of vulnerability has been caused or aggravated by displacement resulting from armed conflict or humanitarian catastrophe.

Meetings during the day

During the day, the minister met with her Swedish counterpart, Gunnar Strömmer, to discuss trafficking and the proposed European directive, as well as the handover of the EU Presidency, which Spain will lead in the second half of this year. In this regard, the two leaders have agreed on a meeting to carry out the handover in June.

Finally, Llop held a bilateral meeting with the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, where they discussed the situation of the victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking and the countries, apart from Ukraine, that suffer this violence, such as Haiti, or African countries such as Sudan or Ethiopia. In this sense, the Justice Minister indicated that "it is important to unify" all actions carried out to protect women.

Non official translation