Combating trafficking in human beings: offences, penalties and sanctions, liability in criminal matters. Framework Decision

The Council reached a political agreement, with prejudice from parliamentary reserves from certain delegations and the examination of the European Parliament's opinion, on the draft framework decision, on coming to a consensus on the only question which remains open, that is the minimum ceiling of maximum penal sanctions to be imposed to persons judged guilty of human trafficking (8 years when it is an aggravating circumstance). The European Parliament's opinion shall be examined by the Group of Advisors JHA with a view to the adoption of the instrument as soon as possible. At the time of its formal adoption, a joint declaration from Denmark, Austria and Germany should be included in the minutes specifying their opposition to the principle of the approximation of sentences by setting a minimum level for a maximum sentence. �