JUSTICE
European human rights court condemns UK’s prosecution of child trafficking victims
On 16 February, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the UK had violated the Convention’s prohibition against forced labour (Art. 4) by prosecuting two children for drug-related offences, despite evidence they were victims of trafficking. While the Court found that international law does not bar states from prosecuting victims per se, doing so risked contradicting their duty to protect victims of trafficking and facilitate their recovery. According to the Court, any decision to prosecute them should take into account an independent trafficking assessment.
EU agency for fundamental rights reports widespread harassment of non-EU citizens
The EU’s fundamental rights agency published an EU-wide report on crime victimisation, based on a survey of 35,000 people. It found that non-EU citizens were among those who reported experiencing higher rates of harassment. In addition, people from an ethnic minority were among those who experience physical violence at a higher rate. While people often do not report their victimisation to the police, incidents are reported at a higher rate if the victim perceives the perpetrator to have an ethnic minority or immigrant background.
JUSTICE
European human rights court condemns UK’s prosecution of child trafficking victims
On 16 February, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the UK had violated the Convention’s prohibition against forced labour (Art. 4) by prosecuting two children for drug-related offences, despite evidence they were victims of trafficking. While the Court found that international law does not bar states from prosecuting victims per se, doing so risked contradicting their duty to protect victims of trafficking and facilitate their recovery. According to the Court, any decision to prosecute them should take into account an independent trafficking assessment.
EU agency for fundamental rights reports widespread harassment of non-EU citizens
The EU’s fundamental rights agency published an EU-wide report on crime victimisation, based on a survey of 35,000 people. It found that non-EU citizens were among those who reported experiencing higher rates of harassment. In addition, people from an ethnic minority were among those who experience physical violence at a higher rate. While people often do not report their victimisation to the police, incidents are reported at a higher rate if the victim perceives the perpetrator to have an ethnic minority or immigrant background.