Romanian President asks Parliament to reexamine law against human trafficking

According to a statement issued by the Presidential Administration, President Basescu on Tuesday sent Parliament the request to reexamine the Law amending Law 678/2001 on the prevention of and fight against human trafficking.

“The act sent for promulgation amends Law 678/2001 by improving and expanding the institutional framework regarding the prevention of and fight against human trafficking. However, in the case of trafficking of minors, it introduces an aggravating circumstance which demands a lighter punishment than for the regular crime,” the request says.

The President refers to a new section which the law submitted for promulgation introduces after article 13, section 3. It states that, if the act of trafficking of minors is committed by a family member, the punishment is between 3 and 15 years imprisonment. This sentence is lighter than the ones provided for the crime committed by a non-family member. According to the statement, the president comments that this situation represents a higher social danger, as the victim relies on the perpetrator’s supposed affection and is thus defenceless.

Furthermore, according to the president, the Criminal Code provides harsher punishments for other crimes committed by family members, such as murder, assault or rape.

“Therefore, for reasons of consistency, we believe it fair and necessary that the same be applied in the case of the crime of trafficking of minors,” the re-examination request concludes.

Source: www.mediafax.ro