Swedish Presidency held conference on human trafficking

Human trafficking for sexual purposes has increased in Europe in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On 29–30 March in Stockholm, Swedish Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer hosted a conference on combating human trafficking.

The conference, held within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, brought together international actors, government experts and experts from civil society in Europe and beyond. The attendees included Her Majesty Queen Silvia, Spanish Minister for Justice Pilar Llop Cuenca and Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life Paulina Brandberg.

The aim was to hold strategic discussions focusing on how to prevent and protect people from being exploited in prostitution and human trafficking for sexual purposes. Also on the agenda was the need to strengthen joint efforts to stop the serious offence of human trafficking.

Sex trafficking of women and children has increased in Europe in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict also participated in the conference, where they informed the attendees of the link between sexual violence in conflict and human trafficking in Ukraine.

“We can never accept people fleeing war being subjected to human trafficking. It affects extremely vulnerable people. It also involves organised crime. Actively combating the demand that drives human trafficking for sexual purposes is crucial. This must be combated with the utmost determination, both nationally and through international cooperation,” said Mr Strömmer.