THE EUROPEAN Commission has revived proposals to strengthen criminal sanctions against people-trafficking and child pornography, measures more likely to be adopted in light of new Lisbon Treaty rules that remove national vetoes from EU initiatives in justice area.
Home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmström said the proposals, which make it easier for national authorities to target offenders who commit crimes abroad, would strengthen the fight against sexual exploitation of children and trafficking of women and girls. The new powers “will not be used for other purposes”, she told reporters in Brussels.
The new plans build on proposals made last year to strengthen the existing rule, which lapsed following the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty. For the first time in the justice area, a single country will not be able to block a proposal as legislation is no longer required to be passed unanimously.
Under the treaty’s rules, Ireland must opt in to proposals in this area. “Ireland welcomes these proposals,” said a Government spokeswoman. “Ireland has been very supportive of proposals to strengthen co-operation in these areas. The decision to opt in must be approved by the Oireachtas.”
The proposals say “sex tourists” travelling abroad to abuse children would face prosecution under the proposal, and any prohibition on contact with children imposed on offenders would be effective not only in the country where they were convicted but across the EU.
Ms Malmström’s plan would oblige EU states to impose more severe criminal sanctions for the sexual abuse of children and exploitation. The “grooming” of children over the internet would be covered under the new code, as would reviewing child porn without downloading files or making children pose sexually in front of web cameras.
“Child sexual abuse means children being subjected to horrendous crimes that leave deep scars for their whole lives . . . Whatever the EU can possibly do, the EU must do and will do,” Ms Malmström said.
Victims would receive accommodation, medical care and witness protection. The proposal also encourages sanctions against people who knowingly employ or buy services from trafficking victims.