Preamble
The member States of the Council of Europe and the other Signatories hereto,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity
between its members;
Considering that trafficking in human beings constitutes a violation of human rights
and an offence to the dignity and the integrity of the human being;
Considering that trafficking in human beings may result in slavery for victims;
Considering that respect for victims’ rights, protection of victims and action to
combat trafficking in human beings must be the paramount objectives;
Considering that all actions or initiatives against trafficking in human beings must
be non-discriminatory, take gender equality into account as well as a child-rights
approach;
Recalling the declarations by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member
States at the 112th (14-15 May 2003) and the 114th (12-13 May 2004) Sessions of
the Committee of Ministers calling for reinforced action by the Council of Europe
on trafficking in human beings;
Bearing in mind the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and
Fundamental Freedoms (1950) and its protocols1
;
Bearing in mind the following recommendations of the Committee of Ministers to
member states of the Council of Europe: Recommendation No. R (91) 11 on sexual
exploitation, pornography and prostitution of, and trafficking in, children and
young adults; Recommendation No. R (97) 13 concerning intimidation of witnesses
and the rights of the defence; Recommendation No. R (2000) 11 on action against
trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation and
Recommendation Rec (2001) 16 on the protection of children against sexual
exploitation; Recommendation Rec (2002) 5 on the protection of women against
violence;