12/04/2011

Green Reacts To 'Disturbing' Trafficking Case

The Immigration Minister has said that the government is taking positive steps to ensure it remains a world leader in the fight against human trafficking.

Responding to the case of a Moldovan trafficking victim who received damages from the government this week, he explained that the rights of victims have now been strengthened.

Minister Damian Green said: “This very disturbing case shows why our approach to human trafficking has changed significantly since 2003.

“In recognition of the need to identify victims of trafficking the UK ratified and brought into force the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking.”

Subject to scrutiny by Parliament, the UK has also applied to opt-in to the EU Directive on human trafficking.

The Minister added: “We have also introduced a National Referral Mechanism to refer and identify victims of trafficking and established mandatory training for all frontline UK Border Agency staff on human trafficking awareness.

“The UK has become a world leader in fighting trafficking and has a strong international reputation in this field.”

(BMcN/GK)

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