To combat human trafficking, which affects at least 7000 victims in Europe each year, new proposals would give EU law enforcement agencies new tools to dismantle criminal organisations by adding new categories of crimes, including forced marriage and illegal adoption, into the existing EU framework, and improve reporting and statistics to create a better understanding of trafficking crimes. Additionally, MEPs want to include surrogacy for the purposes of reproductive exploitation and the exploitation of children in residential institutions in the scope of the law.

The draft European Parliament position on the revision of the rules was adopted on Thursday by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, with 69 votes in favour, 0 against, and 22 abstaining. Negotiations with the Council were authorised with 86 votes in favour, 0 against, and 4 abstaining.

MEPs want a number of changes to the Commission proposal…