Noëlle Milquet, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Equal Opportunities and Najat Vallaud- Belkacem, spokesperson for the French Government and Minister of Women’s Rights, have committed themselves to promote women’s rights on various topics. As a first topic, they have chosen to look at human trafficking from a very objective point of view and in particular the exploitation of the prostitution of others, because it questions these rights.
The “International Convention for the suppression of the traffic in persons and the exploitation of the prostitution of others” of December 2nd 1949 is, until today, the only international text that refers to this specific topic and it has been interpreted quite differently from country to country.
Considering the extent of the phenomenon of human trafficking and the exploitation of the prostitution of others, Ministers Milquet and Vallaud-Belkacem have decided to look at this issue from a gender perspective. This is not only one of the priorities of the European Strategy to fight Human Trafficking, but also considered just as important as the legal proceedings against offenders and the protection of victims.
On the eve of the 65th anniversary of the promulgation by the General Assembly of the United Nations of this important Convention, an inter-ministerial conference will be held in Brussels. The objective is to get an overview of its application by the European Member States that have ratified it, to identify prospects for action and suggest common objectives for more harmonious policies in the fight against human trafficking and the exploitation of the prostitution of others.
Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium will enhance, by her presence, the Round Table gathering European Ministers of Gender Equality during the second half of the conference. Prior to the Round Table, the morning will be dedicated to an overview of the application of the New York Convention as well as to the new challenges that this text is meeting today.
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