Women and Democracy, Reykjavik-Vilnius 2001 (Verslun með konur, pallborðsumræður, opnunarræða, á ensku)
Women and Democracy, the Second Conference, Reykjavik-Vilnius 2001
Panel Discussion on Trafficking in Women
Introductory Speech
Dear fellow ministers participating in the panel and other guests.
The Icelandic Government has a growing concern over the fact that the problem of trafficking in women is spreading to our country. We are now studying thoroughly means to combat trafficking and fulfil the conditions set out in the UN protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in women and children. As Minister of Justice dealing both with criminal legislation and international Police cooperation, I realise my great responsibility in this field.
I would like to mention five key points, which are in my view essential for this combat.
Firstly, we must try to define and evaluate the problem we are dealing with. We must undertake measures such as researching the situation. This will give us the guidelines on which methods to use to tackle the problem. Even more important, it gives us the necessary knowledge on how to prevent trafficking. I have already initiated a special research, which resulted in a comprehensive report this year, on prostitution in Iceland. This confirmed a clear link between the striptease clubs, which have been operated in Reykjavik and prostitution. It gave us important information, on which we will base our future work in the fight against trafficking in women. It is a fact that a great number of foreign women come each year to Iceland to work as striptease dancers. Recently, I appointed a committee of experts to make proposals of necessary legislative changes in penal provisions concerning sexual abuse and prostitution. Its task is also to look at the social conditions of the victims and the offenders, as well as drug problems involved.
This brings me to the second point, essential for the battle against trafficking. It is clear that ratifying the UN protocol against trafficking in persons is a major step in the fight against this situation. Iceland has signed the protocol and is preparing its ratification. One of the problems of our legal systems and international police cooperation in relation to trafficking, is the vague legal situation and difficulties in initiating criminal proceedings in trafficking cases. Now when we have in this international convention the clear legal definition of the trafficking offence we have the necessary basis for our national criminal law. It also gives us the great opportunity to harmonise our legal situation in this field, which facilitates all international police cooperation. We are dealing with a worldwide problem, which must be fought on a worldwide basis. In my view it is therefore essential that we ratify this protocol as soon as possible to speed up this development and show our commitment to this task.
The third key-point in our strategy, closely linked to the previous point, should be to enhance international police cooperation. It is of vital importance to facilitate the exchange of information between law enforcement bodies, especially at borders. In Iceland we have experienced being a transit country for trafficking of women from Europe to the United States. We have enjoyed excellent cooperation with US law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Immigration Service, particularly in the field of training in border control. This has been of great use to the Icelandic police. Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic states is absolutely essential to battle trafficking. Already, there is an extensive cooperation between the Nordic countries, both on a ministerial and police levels. The Nordic Ministers of Justice have special concern in these matters and this will be discussed in our meeting next August. Yesterday, we discussed furthermore a proposal on a Nordic Baltic project group, where the Ministers of Justice and Gender Equality will make a joint effort in this field.
This year Iceland will take over the chairmanship in the Nordic PTN cooperation between police and customs in the Nordic states, which is a very effective cooperation. Also the importance of cooperation with the Baltic states should be emphasised in this respect, a a great number of women come for these job offers to Scandinavia.
My fourth point is to remind us all that trafficking in women is a crime which creates immense suffering for its victims. Not only has it deteriorating physical and mental effects on its victims, they are also in danger if they seek help and file charges with the police. We must not only encourage the victims to step forward. We must also provide them with special protection and assistance, both through criminal proceedings and even in starting a new life.
Fifthly, I would like to stress the need of opening the eyes of society to the crime that trafficking is. We must change public opinion on prostitution and the demand for it. Therefore we should all undertake measures such as mass media campaigns or other projects with the aim of changing public opinion. A vital point in this respect is that public authorities cooperate with NGO}s such as women's shelters and assist bodies where women seek help. Last but not least least is it important to reach these women and inform them of their rights.
We have been creating all the necessary tools to apply in our battle against trafficking. It is time that we start using them!