Subject: Child trafficking in Afghanistan

E-3021/03EN

Answer given by Mr Patten

on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2003)

The Commission is also concerned by recent reports from Afghanistan about abductions of young children, and very much welcomes the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) decision to send a child rights professional to Northern Afghanistan

The Commission, and Member States are strongly engaged in building a strong judicial system and police force to ensure there is effective law enforcement across Afghanistan.

Germany is the lead donor on police reform. By December 2003 a total of 5,000 new and existing police will have received training, and Germany will be rolling out police training to the Provinces. To support this, in 2002, the Commission contributed € 10 million to the Law and Order Trust Fund (which pays for police salaries and training), and a further € 15.5 million in 2003. In addition, it has earmarked a further € 60 million for the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) in 2003-2004.

Italy is the lead donor for Judicial reform. To date, US $ 20 million has been spent on reforming the judicial system, including refurbishing buildings in Kabul and training 120 legal professionals. For 2003, the Commission and Italy are co-financing € 6 million for the refurbishment of district level judicial centres and training of local staff.

The new Constitution will also be critical. The statement at the 21 September 2003 Dubai Afghanistan conference stressed the importance of enshrining Human Rights for all, including women and children. It noted “the EU is aware that Afghanistan recognises its obligations under International Law, especially concerning Human Rights, and looks forward to seeing these obligations respected fully in the new Constitution.” The 19-20 October 2003 Troika to Afghanistan underlined the importance of meeting these obligations.