European Parliament
Ribeiro e Castro (UEN ),
in writing
(PT)
The United Nations Convention is intended to enable signatory countries to cooperate effectively in fighting organised crime, by harmonising the definition of crimes in the various national legal systems, so that an act constituting an offence in one signatory State is also considered to be an offence in the other signatory countries. In this context, this will be the first global instrument for combating criminal networks, which will provide universal definitions of certain fundamental concepts of criminal law in the fight against organised crime. This will also be the first legally binding United Nations instrument in this field.
As regards the two Protocols, these set out rigorous measures designed to combat trafficking in human beings  in particular women and children  thereby protecting such persons from slavery, sexual exploitation and illegal employment.
It should be noted in this context that measures are included to provide both legal and material assistance to victims of trafficking. Article 6 consequently obliges signatory States not only to ensure that information is provided on the judicial and administrative procedures in force, but also to adopt measures designed to ensure the physical and psychological recovery of the victims of trafficking.
Given the importance of the issues at stake, and the genuinely pioneering nature of this Convention, my vote could only be favourable.

