EU: The European Commission plans to introduce visa requirements on visitors from some non-EU states during the World Cup in Germany to prevent a rise in prostitution.
EU justice commissioner Franco Frattini said yesterday visitors from certain countries outside the EU that do not need visas would have to apply for them under a proposal he will put to EU justice ministers next month.
"I cannot give you a list because I don't like to blame or shame states as origin countries. But you know very well in the eastern dimension of Europe there is an origin region for prostitution," said Mr Frattini at the launch of an EU initiative to raise awareness of forced prostitution during sports events such as the World Cup in Germany, which will begin on June 9th.
"In Latin America there is a region, in sub-Saharan Africa unfortunately, and in Asia there is a region of origin."
The proposal could introduce visa requirements on states such as Romania, Bulgaria and Brazil.
There is growing concern among EU parliamentarians and human rights groups that the World Cup will lead to a rise in forced prostitution. More than one million predominantly male soccer fans are expected to travel to Germany.
Prostitution is not against the law in Germany, and recent media reports have shown brothel owners gearing up for an increase in trade.
The European Parliament used yesterday's International Women's Day to highlight the issue, inviting European commissioners to speak on the issue at an event to launch the Red Card to Forced Prostitution campaign.
The campaign also called on European Commission president José Manuel Barroso to put pressure on governments to tighten border controls and step up efforts to identify women and children being moved illegally through EU states to Germany.
Margot Wallström, commission vice-president, said she accepted the invitation to speak because she wanted to voice her deep concern that thousands of women and young girls, mainly from poor countries, risked being forced into prostitution during the World Cup.