6.8.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 261/19 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2004/81/EC of 29 April 2004 on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals who are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration, who cooperate with the competent authorities THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular point 3 of Article 63 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, (') Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, (%) Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee, (%) Having consulted the Committee of the Regions, Whereas: (1) () The framing of a common immigration policy, including the definition of the conditions of entry and residence for foreigners and measures to combat illegal immigra- tion, is a constituent element of the European Union’s objective of creating an area of freedom, security and justice. At its special meeting in Tampere on 15 and 16 October 1999, the European Council expressed its determination to tackle illegal immigration at source, for example by targeting those who engage in trafficking of human beings and the economic exploitation of migrants. It called on the Member States to concentrate their efforts on detecting and dismantling criminal networks while protecting the rights of victims. An indication of the growing concern about this phenomenon at international level was the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, supplemented by a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Traf- ficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and a Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air. These were signed by the Community and the 15 Member States in December 2000. This Directive is without prejudice to the protection granted to refugees, to beneficiaries of subsidiary protec- tion and persons seeking international protection under international refugee law and without prejudice to other human rights instruments. This Directive is without prejudice to other provisions on the protection of victims, witnesses or persons who () O] C 126 E, 28.5.2002, p. 393. (}) Opinion delivered on 5 December 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJ C 221, 17.9.2002, p. 80. O are particularly vulnerable. Nor does it detract from the prerogatives of the Member States as regards the right of residence granted on humanitarian or other grounds. This Directive respects fundamental rights and complies with the principles recognised for example by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should give effect to the provision of this Directive without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteris- tics, language, religion or belief, political or other opinions, membership of a national minority, fortune, birth, disabilities, age or sexual orientation. At European level, Council Directive 2002/90/EC of 28 November 2002 defining the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and residence (*) and Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA of 19 July 2002 on combating trafficking in human beings () were adopted to strengthen the prevention and the fight against the above offences. This Directive introduces a residence permit intended for victims of trafficking in human beings or, if a Member State decides to extend the scope of this Directive, to third-country nationals who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration to whom the resi- dence permit offers a sufficient incentive to cooperate with the competent authorities while including certain conditions to safeguard against abuse. To this end, it is necessary to lay down the criteria for issuing a residence permit, the conditions of stay and the grounds for non-renewal and withdrawal. The right to stay under this Directive is subject to conditions and is of provisional nature. The third country nationals concerned should be informed of the possibility of obtaining this residence permit and be given a period in which to reflect on their position. This should help put them in a position to reach a well-informed decision as to whether or not to cooperate with the competent authorities, which may be the police, prosecution and judicial authorities (in view of the risks this may entail), so that they cooperate freely and hence more effectively. () OJL 328,5.12.2002, p. 17. () OJL 203, 1.8.2002, p. 1.