EU report recommends action to prevent trafficking during World Cup

A report by the European Parliament has expressed concern that there may be an increase in sex trafficking during the World Cup in Germany and urges all EU member states, “especially Germany, to take appropriate measures in the course of the World Cup football tournament in 2006 to prevent trafficking of women and forced prostitution.” Prostitution is legal in Germany, but thousands of women and children may be trafficked into the country to be exploited by football fans from around the world. As the majority of football fans would be horrified at this human rights abuse, it is important that action is taken to prevent such crimes.
The same EU report which recommended action in Germany during the world cup also recommended educating “vulnerable members of society in the countries of origin, to alert and sensitize the public about the problem and reduce demand in the countries of destination.” Included in the report was also a specific recommendation of the Business Travellers against Human Trafficking campaign.