A debate was held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on preventing and combating human trafficking and protecting its victims. ECR MEP Beata Kempa spoke during the discussion.
Beata Kempa called for very specific, targeted, but above all immediate action, as well as significantly greater involvement by member states in combating human smuggling and trafficking. “Above all, we need harsher penalties for this crime and stricter treatment of those responsible,” she stated. The Polish politician noted that women and children are the two groups most at risk. She also highlighted alarming statistics indicating that approximately 300,000 children fall victim to traffickers each year. Although she welcomed the fact that the European Union wants to do more on this issue, she questioned why surrogacy—which involves payment—is still accepted. “Enough of turning a blind eye to this shameful practice, which is nothing less than human trafficking,” the Polish politician urged. She also asked why the smuggling of people by boats crisscrossing the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and delivering them to Europe is still tolerated. She noted with regret that these boats often sink, and their passengers perish at sea. She also pointed out that “some non-governmental organizations bear some responsibility for this, and we cannot excuse them.”
The MEP stated that the simplest methods prove to be the most effective and once again called for decisive and effective action on this issue.
