A call to bolster the EU's fight against human trafficking has been articulated by Loucas Fourlas, MEP from the PPE group. His inquiry underscores the ongoing exploitation of vulnerable groups, primarily women and children, by criminal networks despite existing legal frameworks. This move is set to engage multiple stakeholders, from EU member states' authorities responsible for law enforcement and victim support, to NGOs and the victims themselves.
The question, submitted on September 25, 2025, to the European Commission and answered by Mr Brunner, addresses the effectiveness and future steps of implementing anti-trafficking legislation. It directly challenges the Commission to clarify how it intends to reinforce enforcement and victim protection in the EU.
Concrete policies are detailed in the Commission's reply, notably the transposition deadline of the amended Anti-Trafficking Directive by July 15, 2026. This directive broadens the scope of criminalized exploitations and strengthens investigative tools. The response highlights institutional support such as workshops, the EU Anti-trafficking Hub launched in June 2025, and cooperation under the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats. Funding mechanisms like the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund are also operationalized for victim assistance and integration.
The policy direction promotes deeper EU integration in law enforcement coordination, with increased regulatory obligations for member states. Victim support is enhanced through formal referral and cross-border mechanisms, and alignment with the upcoming Directive on combating violence against women shows an emphasis on vulnerable demographics.
Stakeholders affected span national enforcement agencies, NGOs providing victim services, trafficking victims themselves, and EU taxpayers financing support programs. While this framework strengthens prosecution capabilities and victim assistance, it demands greater administrative and financial commitments from member states and related institutions.
Institutionally, the Commission's response signals preparatory groundwork ahead of the transposition deadline, with ongoing monitoring and support expected through 2026-2027. The interaction exemplifies the EU's complex balance between empowering centralized anti-trafficking enforcement measures and respecting member states’ roles in implementation.
← Atlas › News › Home affairs & Migration