Conservative Party Human Rights Commission

Shadow Home Secretary calls for more action on human trafficking

The Shadow Home Secretary David Davis MP issued a statement on 18 October calling for more action on human trafficking. The Conservative Party Human Rights Commission has been campaigning this year for the UK to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings as part of its Stop Slavery Full Stop campaign. Earlier in the year the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission organised a Freedom Wall at Spring Forum and published policy proposals in support of Stop the Traffik’s campaign.

David Davis’ statement follows in full:

David Davis: Gestures are not enough to tackle the scourge of human trafficking

Commenting on a report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights which urges the Government to do more to tackle the scourge of human trafficking, including ratifying the Council of Europe Convention, Shadow Home Secretary, David Davis, said:

"In January, we called on the Government to become party to the European Convention on Human Trafficking. They grabbed a headline by signing up but have failed to deliver on their pledge to ratify it.

Gestures are not enough. We need a concerted to effort to stamp out what is essentially modern day slavery. A Conservative Government would take the practical measures to tackle trafficking, including setting up a dedicated border police force, a helpline and measures at airports to help identify victims."

ENDS

Notes to editors

In January 2007, the Conservatives published 'Human Trafficking - The Modern Slave Trade'. Key proposals include:

1) Signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings 2005 (ECATHB).

2) Establishing a UK Border Police Force with specialist expertise for intercepting traffickers and victims at our borders.

3) Separate interviews at all airports for women and children travelling alone with an adult who is not a parent, guardian or husband, to identify.

4) Strengthening coordination between relevant Government departments and SOCA, reinforcing the UK Human Trafficking Centre, in order to ensure a coherent, joined-up approach.

5) Ensuring each police force and every LGA has a strategy for dealing with suspected victims of trafficking.

6) Setting up a Helpline providing information for women who have been trafficked, and for those who suspect exploitation.