Zapobieganie handlowi ludźmi i jego zwalczanie jako obowiązek państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej

One of the aims of the European Union is to create a common space of freedom, security and justice for its citizens and for legally residing citizens of third countries. The means are regulations to guarantee an appropriate level of security after the lifting of border controls on EU internal borders, including regulations to prevent human trafficking. Legislation by EU authorities in this field is binding not only for UE institutions, services and agencies, but also for the member states. All the national authorities – in the legislative, judicial and executive branches – are bound by EU legislation and hence they become elements of a supranational system of power. The article analyzes the nature and extent of obligations the member states have in the light of EU laws on the prevention and elimination of human trafficking.