Legal News

Theresa May has called for international action to eradicate modern slavery worldwide and tackle human trafficking.

Speaking ahead of the United Nations General Assembly 2016, the Prime Minister urged other countries to develop a model national response.

The heads of Mi5, Mi6, GCHQ and Interpol are also to join new government taskforce, she announced.

The heads of all three intelligence agencies – Mi5, Mi6 and GCHQ – along with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the head of Europol, the Secretary General of Interpol, the head of the Gang-masters Licensing Authority and a number of senior police officers from up and down the country will be invited to attend meetings as required.

They will be joined by key practitioners in this field, such as Caroline Haughey – a barrister with a proven track record of successfully prosecuting slave drivers.

A total of £5 million has also been pledged to support anti-trafficking efforts in Nigeria.

Mrs May said a model national response should be based upon strong law enforcement action and legislative framework, reducing vulnerability and supporting victims, tackling transparency in supply chains – and effective international co-operation.

“The UK is leading the world with our efforts to stamp out modern slavery,” she said.

“Just over a year since the Modern Slavery Act came into force, convictions are up, more victims are getting support – and there are more police investigations into this abhorrent crime.

“But there is still much more to do – across the world, an estimated 45 million people are enduring experiences that are simply horrifying in their inhumanity.

“That’s why I am determined to drive forward international action to eradicate modern slavery.

“Just as the criminals cross borders, so we need a radical new approach that crosses borders – sharing intelligence and joining up investigations.

“This is standard in the case of drugs trafficking and the trade in illegal firearms – and there is no excuse for our law enforcement authorities failing to do this when it comes to modern slavery.

“We owe it to the innocent men, women and children who are being tricked into a life of hard labour and abuse to rid our world of this evil.

“Just as it was Britain that took an historic stand to ban slavery two centuries ago, I am determined that the United Kingdom will once again lead the way in defeating modern slavery – and preserving the freedoms and values that have defined our country for generations,” she added.

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