Tory leader M.Howard replies to constituents enq over view on EU Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
Amnesty Intl and 3 other groups have formed a campaign to
get the UK Government to sign up to the new EU Convention
Against Trafficking in HUman Beings. Opened for signing
at the recent Ministerial in Warsaw.
One of MR Howard's constituents wrote asking for his views
on this and asking him to press Jack Straw for the UK's view.
This is Howard's initial reply (he appears to have forgotten to
ask JS, but a follow up letter has been lodged with MH to do
so and asking, as it appears he generally supports it,whether he would sign it.)
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House of Commons. 23rd June 2005.
Dear.
I welcome the work which the Council of Europe is undertaking to ensure that its member states adopt measures
to fight trafficking in human beings. As you are aware, the Committee on action against trafficking in human beings is
drawing up a European Convention on action against trafficking in human beings. This instrument is expected to be a practical tool in international co-operation, which will be geared towards the protection of victim's rights and the respect for human rights.
I strongly condemn the trafficking of people into Europe and the UK for exploitation of any kind. Unfortunately, it seems that this exploitation takes many different forms, whether that is the slave trade, cheap and exploitative labour in an unregulated and often dangerous environment, or domestic work in conditions of virtual slavery. The victims of this trafficking are held in exploitation through methods which are cruel and unacceptable, including the confiscation of travel documents, debt bondage, violence, and denunciation or physical threats to family members back in their home country.
In addition, the organised crime lying behind these practices not only leads to the exploitation of the migrants themselves, but provides opportunmities for further forms of crime involving the smuugling and trafficking of people and the provison of slave labour. I am inded concerned that, over the past decade, this has been identified as a serious and growing problem in nearly all European countries.
Within the UK, the Sexual Offences Act 2003 has intriduced a new offence of trafficking someone into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The more recent Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants,etc) Act 2004 will now criminalise the trafficking of people for any form of exploitation, with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.
I warmly welcome all efforts to crack down on this cruel trade. I note, however, that there are still concerns over providing a truly effective, joined up approach to what is a very complex problem. I am not convinced that our border controls are sufficiently robust - we need tp provide sufficient officers to combat all attempts to evade our controls.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. I believe that it is important we use our international influence to diminish this trade in people, and also take steps to remove it from within our own boundaries.
With best wishes.
Michael Howard.
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(Apologies for any typos)
Sounds all ok, but suspect it's all rather disingenuous....
