European Convention on Action Against Human Trafficking to become UK law in April 2009

On 19th April 2009, the European Convention on Action Against Human Trafficking will become UK law, after the Government ratified the agreement last December.

The agreement promises improvements in the way that victims of trafficking are supported by agencies such as the police, and sets minimum standards for supporting the victims of trafficking and slavery in the UK.

Some of the key promises include:

• a new national referral mechanism, providing a nationally agreed process to help frontline staff identify victims of trafficking and offer them support
• strengthened arrangements for looking after victims, including a 45 day reflection and recovery period, and the possibility of a one-year residence permit for victims
• better support for victims in giving information to police, which will help authorities bring those who exploit them to justice.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said, “Ratifying this convention helps us build on the existing measures in place in the UK aimed at turning the tables on traffickers and providing victims with protection, support and a voice in the criminal justice system.”

I hope it’s true. The agreement should make a significant difference to the way that victims of slavery in the UK are treated, as long as it is implemented properly on the ground.

The Government says that the National Policing Improvement Agency will undertake training of new police officers, and the UK Border Agency will begin a programme of awareness-raising for staff to prepare for the start of the new measures.

Freedom Trust has not seen any comment on whether existing police officers will be re-trained in how to identify and handle the victims of trafficking.

Useful resources:

Download the full Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Human Trafficking

UK Government’s press statement: Government ratifies European convention against human trafficking, 17 December 2008

Similar Posts:

• Victims suffer when slavery slips through the net
• Anti-Slavery tells horrific story of sex slaves in London
• UK slavery stories & pictures
• What is trafficking?
• Slavery in the UK is an international issue