Cross-border measures must to combat human trafficking

Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson and Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo on Thursday underscored the need for cross-border measures to combat human trafficking, said a government press release.

Speaking at an anti-trafficking seminar in Helsinki, they said that trafficking in human beings is a global phenomenon, and even individual human trafficking offences often extend to more than one state.

Nordic anti-trafficking authorities and civil society actors gathered in a seminar in Helsinki to share their best practices in anti-trafficking work.

In her opening address, Henriksson pointed out that trafficking in human beings is a problem that affects society as a whole, seriously violates the victims’ fundamental rights, and weakens the ability of law-abiding companies to be competitive.

“Effective prevention of human trafficking requires political will and determined work. Human trafficking offences take a variety of forms, and the general tendencies of these offences and even individual cases often extend to more than one state. That is why Nordic and international cooperation is of utmost importance here. Anti-trafficking work is most effective when the entire society is committed to it,” Henriksson stressed.

“If we develop our expertise together, we will be stronger and better prepared to respond to the needs of the victims, bring the perpetrators to justice, and protect society as a whole from trafficking in human beings,” Henriksson said.

Speakers at the seminar said that trafficking in human beings is often hidden crime, which is why more active detection of these offences is required in addition to investigative measures.

“It is important that criminal liability is realised throughout the chain of exploitation, particularly sexual exploitation,” said Ohisalo.

Trafficking in human beings has also been identified as one of the European priority crime areas.

“Finland is actively involved in planning and implementing measures under this priority,” Ohisalo added.

The seminar followed by a workshops and an evening event hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

The seminar is organised by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Government Anti-Trafficking Coordinator as part of Finland’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.