International Cooperation Against Human Trafficking

Trafficking in human beings, a phenomenon with global dimensions constitutes a serious violation of human rights, dignity and freedom, a social phenomenon with negative consequences for the entire society. Countries have been concerned over the time to find the most effective policy measures to combat and prevent human trafficking, and in this regard the United Nations, the European Union and the Council of Europe have developed a series of international documents which established an international legal framework for the criminalization of trafficking in human beings. In Romania, Law no. 300/2006 for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, signed by Romania in Warsaw on May 16, 2005, and Law no. 678/2001 are the main instruments for preventing and combating trafficking in human beings. Thus, these instruments establish the measures that regulate the activity of prevention, criminalization of trafficking in human beings and trafficking related offences, seizure, non-punishment provisions and judicial procedures, the protection and reintegration of trafficking victims, as well as international judicial cooperation. Likewise, therein are provided a number of authorities and public institutions, NGOs and other civil society representatives that shall co-operate in order to pursue a sustained activity of prevention of trafficking in human beings, especially in women and children. Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a constant concern of all systems of law. Preventing and combating the phenomena of trafficking in human beings is all the more important as trafficking is a threat to constitutional order and the legal framework establishes a series of social protection measures that are meant to prevent serious violation of human rights which may occur as a result of trafficking crimes.