Reacting to the news today (3 January) that the Conservative Party has called for the Britain to sign up to the European Convention Against Trafficking, Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said:

“The Conservative Party’s support for the European Convention Against Trafficking is very welcome.

“Trafficking in people is a vicious and well organised trade which is causing untold human misery around the world and right here in the UK.

“The Conservative Party’s support indicates once again that human trafficking is a serious human rights issue requiring urgent attention – and that the European Convention is a good way of ensuring victims of this nasty trade are protected.

“Organisations who work closely with victims believe the Convention would guarantee protection for the people they support.

“The 200th anniversary this year of the abolition of the slave trade in the UK is the ideal time for Britain to show that it is committed to the ending of this modern day form of slavery. We hope the Government will be minded to sign up to the European Convention Against Trafficking without delay.”

Background

Home Office research estimated that up to 1,420 Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights were trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation in 2000 (1), and the trade in people is understood to have increased exponentially since then. Trafficked Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights and girls, from countries including Moldova, Romania, Albania, Thailand and Nigeria have been forced to work as prostitutes in London. Victims of trafficking are tricked or violently coerced into leaving their homes.

The European Convention Against Trafficking guarantees trafficked people:

* a breathing period (‘reflection period’) of at least 30 days during which they can receive support to aid their recovery, including safe housing and emergency medical support;

* temporary residence permits for trafficked people who may be in danger if they return to their country, and/or if it is necessary to assist criminal proceedings.

Notes:

1. Kelly and Regan for the Home Office (police research series paper 125, 2000) estimates that up to 1,420 Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights were trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation in 1998.

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