On June 22, the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations approved, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Res. 860) calling on the German government to take immediate action to combat sex trafficking associated with the 2006 World Cup.
Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:
The measure calls on European countries, including Germany, to support public awareness campaigns on the potential for trafficking during the World Cup. It also encourages governments, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations to have information campaigns for potential trafficking victims to warn them about the human trafficking networks that have been set up for the World Cup. Additionally, the resolution urges sports associations, including the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), to support the “Final Whistle-Stop Forced Prostitution Campaign,” launched by the National Council of German Women’s Organizations.
The subcommittee adopted, by voice vote, an amendment by Rep. Smith that would clarify the description of the German government’s legalization of prostitution to read that Germany “officially declared that prostitution is no longer to be seen as immoral and amended its legal code to legalize the maintaining of a brothel, to permit ‘pimping’, except when it involves exploiting a prostitute by impairing her personal or economic independence, and to elevate prostitution to the status of a legitimate profession.” The amendment would add language clarifying that Germany ratified the UN anti-trafficking convention and protocol on June 14, 2006. It also would urge the German government to implement the UN agreements “as soon as practicable.” Rep. Smith said in a statement, “All those who support the dignity of women should demand strong and immediate actions by the German government to reverse its facilitation of sex trafficking. I ask my colleagues to give favorable consideration to H. Res. 860, which is a very timely and necessary statement to our colleagues in Germany that it is their responsibility to fully comply with the spirit of anti-trafficking efforts and reverse its pro-commercial sex laws.”
In the same mark-up session, the committee approved, by voice vote, a bill (H.R. 5382) to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Central Asia. The measure would authorize $118.2 million each for FY2007 and FY2008 for assistance to encourage free and fair elections, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. Assistance to ensure human rights specifically would include measures to end trafficking in persons to, from, and through the region in ways consistent with OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and internationally accepted standards. The bill also would support activities to prosecute human traffickers and to increase police training and education on trafficking and forced labor.
A substitute amendment by Rep. Smith that would add language to make U.S. aid to the Central Asian governments dependent on their improvements in protecting human rights was adopted by voice vote.
