-Caveat Lector- FIGHT AGAINST CHILD SEX TOURISM >From the DG XXIII European Commission (Enterprise Policy, Distributive Trades, Tourism and Cooperatives) We reproduce hereafter a document referring to the ways one can fight against sex tourism; this article was kindly sent to us by one of our correspondent by the end of March 1999. Hopefully, tourism and Ecotourism in Central Africa does not yet meet this problem. Anyway, we considered that this problem is a potential threat in this area, as its is already a reality in Maghreb and Machrek. I believe it is high time to react and act carefully and with responsibility. Tourism must be the winner in the fight against child sex tourism. Commissioner Christos Papoutsis The European Commission has been aware for years both of the extent and seriousness of the problem of child sex tourism and of the fact that the European public opinion in general, and tourists and the tourism industry in particular, are becoming increasingly sensitive to this problem. The specific proposals for action to be found in the Commission's Communication of 27 November 1996 on combating child sex tourism (OJ C 3 of 07.01.1997) are part of the European Union's general contribution to intensifying the fight against the sexual exploitation of children. The Commission's Communication provides a reference framework for Community action to combat child sex tourism, placing it in a medium and long term perspective. The overall strategy set out in this document is twofold: on the one hand, reducing demand, in cooperation with the tourism industry and the NGOs concerned (coordination of information and awareness-raising campaigns, strengthening of the industry's codes of conduct and self-regulatory mechanisms, etc.); on the other hand, addressing the sources of supply in countries of destination, using all appropriate means, including the Community's external relations and development cooperation policies. The European Parliament's Resolution of 6 November 1997 (OJ C 358 of 24.11.1997) and the (Tourism Council's Declaration of 26 November 1997) have revealed a broad agreement on the main features of the Commission's Communication. This support has since been reaffirmed by the creation of a new budget line B7-663 (500.000 ECU for 1998, 1.000.000 EURO for 1999), with these funds intended for campaigns in the European Union to counter the development of child sex tourism. The implementation of the proposals for action against child sex tourism started in 1997, focussing on a limited number of targeted objectives responding to the need to deter and punish child sex abusers, to stem the flow of child sex tourists from the European Union, to help to combat child sex tourism in third countries and to encourage Member States to take a united stand against this phenomenon. Deterring and punishing child sex abusers In this respect, reference has to be made to the joint action of the Council of 24 February 1997 concerning action to combat trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children (OJ N° L 63 of 04.03.1997), which opens the way to more effective laws and law enforcement, including extraterritorial criminal laws. It has to be mentioned also that the Commission, through the STOP program and the DAPHNE initiative respectively, gives support to officials and professional workers as well as non governmental organizations and voluntary organizations active in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children. Nevertheless, responsibility for the apprehension and prosecution of offenders is a matter for the law enforcement and justice authorities of the Member state concerned. Stemming the flow of sex tourists from the European Union Member States It was decided in 1997 to launch an initiative designed to reinforce the co-ordination, at a European level, of the national information and awareness-raising campaigns against child sex tourism. The two projects already selected for co-financing have been successfully implemented in 1998. Complementary projects should be supported this year also. The aim of the terre des hommes project (E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) is to make air travelers aware of the problem of child sex tourism. To this end, an information and awareness-raising spot produced by terre des hommes is being shown in aircraft during long-haul flights. Deutsche Lufthansa is the first airline to have decided to show such a spot during its long-haul flights. Talks are under way with other airlines in order to ensure the widest possible distribution of the message. The Groupe Développement / ECPAT project (E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]) has two objectives: to inform travelers by distributing a "luggage tag" accompanied by an information leaflet. Travelers are invited to put this "luggage tag" on their cases to show their commitment to the fight against child sex tourism. 300 000 leaflets were handed out in 1998 to travelers in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands; to train those in the industry by developing teaching tools for lecturers in travel and tourism. The ECPAT teams in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have drawn on experience in France in developing their own teaching tools. By its nature, the project is intended to be extended to other countries of Europe. As part of the 23rd Brussels Travel Fair which took place from 24 to 26 November 1998, a large area was provided for the European Commission to present initiatives in the field of combating child sex tourism. The "First European meeting of the main partners in the fight against child sex tourism" was also held in the context of this professional fair, with the participation of many experts and prominent personalities. This "event", organized at the initiative of the European Commission, was a genuine first, a far-reaching demonstration that kept pace with the increasing sensitivity shown by European public opinion with regard to the perversion of tourism that is child sex tourism. In this respect, it has to be noted that a Eurobarometer survey on the issue of child sex tourism was carried out between 7 April and 27 May 1998. The results of this survey (16.165 face-to-face interviews all over the European Union) are being widely disseminated (European Commission - Directorate General XXIII, Europeans and their Views on Child Sex Tourism, Executive Summary of a Eurobarometer Survey, July 1998, 29 p.). They constitute useful points of reference for all those involved in the fight against child sex tourism. Made available to the main partners in this fight, they should help to clarify the choices in terms of strategy development. Europeans and their views on child sex tourism A large proportion (85%) of those questioned were "aware" of the problem, which they regarded as "widespread" (63%) and "on the increase world-wide" (55%). Although the phenomenon also affects the EU territory it is seen by the majority of Europeans as particularly acute in Asia (83%), Latin America (69%), Central and Eastern Europe (68%), and Africa (67%). Child sex tourism is generally seen in Europe as being linked to poverty (72%), child sex abuse (55%), international trafficking in children (49%), social exclusion (37%) and extreme forms of child labor (25%). There was almost universal moral condemnation (92%) of the practice, which was deemed "illegal" by 88%, with a slightly smaller number (74%) including acts committed outside the territory of the Member States in the definition. A small but significant proportion of those questioned (4%) claimed to have encountered the problem of child sex tourism on their holidays. Learning that one of their holiday destinations is known to be a place where child sex tourism occurs would be enough to put half the European Union population (54%) off going there, while a larger number of Europeans (69%) would demand that services offered are in no way linked to this practice, and an even larger number (74%) would be especially careful if they went there. To combat child sex tourism, seen as a largely "avoidable" problem by 63% of European respondents, priority is given to punitive measures (38%) and prevention (36%), ahead of help for the child victims (22%). Extracts from the executive summary Last, but not least, particular attention is being paid to encouraging the drawing up and application of standards of conduct likely to eliminate practices which are not in line with the tourism ethic. Helping to combat child sex tourism in third countries The Community's external relations and development co-operation policies include programs to uphold human rights under which funding is available to combat the sexual exploitation of children. These programs frequently involve partnership with NGOs and voluntary organizations active in the third countries concerned. In this context, particular attention is being paid to rationalizing methods for action and coordinating the Community resources available for the protection of children who are victims of sex tourism. As part of the European Community strategy to support the development of sustainable tourism in the developing countries, efforts should continue to ensure that the matter of combating child sex tourism is addressed as part of a structured political dialogue with the countries most affected, particularly at regional level (See the Commission's Communication on A European Community strategy to support the development of sustainable tourism in the developing countries, COM(1998)563 final of 14.10.1998). Of particular concern to the commission is the alarming rise of cases of sexual exploitation of children in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe which in some case involve cross-border trafficking. Within this region, the PHARE, TACIS and LIEN programs, in particular work towards the prevention of sexual exploitation and the recovery and reintegration of child victims. The need to include the issue of child sex tourism on the agenda of EU enlargement with the Eastern and Central Europe countries, and in the dialogue with other regions of the world (Asia notably), is highlighted in the Economic and Social Committee's Opinion of 2 July 1998 (OJ N° C 284 of 14.09.1998). Encouraging the European Union Member States to take a united stand against child sex tourism In its communication, the Commission considered it highly desirable that the Council should define its position, and called upon the Member States to dispel any doubt as to their willingness and ability to combat this affliction. The above mentioned (Tourism) Council's Declaration of 26 November 1997 constitutes a first step in this direction, as well as the (Development) Council's Resolution of 30 November 1998. Finally, it is worth recalling that the Commission intends to produce a report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, on the implementation of the measures planned and the progress made in combating child sex tourism in 1997 and 1998. For further information Write to: European Commission Directorate-General XXIII - Tourism Directorate Rue de la Loi, 200 B-1049 Brussels Or contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] fwd by: Paul Gonsalves Bangalore, India + 91 80 525 4054 [EMAIL PROTECTED] from QuaternariA AfricanA TouristicA, GEODE télécopie : 241.72.68.80. : email [EMAIL PROTECTED] DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
