After months of consultations, false starts and delays, the British Government finally published their strategy on human trafficking (19 July 2011). The strategy fails to address the issue of global trafficking and slavery, instead focusing entirely on human trafficking in and into the UK. While this will inevitably be the main focus for the UK strategy, Dalit Freedom Network UK believes that the Government has missed the opportunity to play a leading role on the world stage. This is the kind of leadership necessary to tackle what has become one of the biggest global problems in terms of both international crime and human rights abuses.

The new strategy does include a focus on disrupting trafficking networks before they reach the UK, and there have been a number of initiatives with authorities and police forces abroad aimed at preventing trafficking into the UK. However, there is little if any recognition within the strategy that human trafficking anywhere in the world has the potential for affecting the UK. Neither is there real recognition of trafficking as a human rights issue, where victims deserve our help no matter where the crime takes place.

Missed opportunity

Dalit Freedom Network UK believes that the British Government has lost an opportunity to make a stand and to take an international lead. Human trafficking will never be effectively tackled until there is a recognition that no matter where it occurs, the international and interconnected nature of the crime requires a truly global effort to make any impact. This will involve governments offering to share learning, as well as help and support on a mutual basis, focusing particularly on areas of the world such as India, where the problem is most prevalent. DFN UK, along with other organisations, have voiced these concerns to the government and is disappointed not to see them given greater profile.

With up to half of all those trafficked or in modern slavery globally being in India and most of the victims being Dalits, who are among the poorest and most marginalised people in the world, strong action is required. Action needs to focus on prevention, prosecution and protection, and must be holistic in nature addressing root causes as well as symptoms. If you feel strongly on these issues please write to your MP to voice your concerns [For guidance on writing to your MP check out our Action Sheet].

Prevention and protection concerns

The strategy has also been criticised by NGOs and leading campaigners, such as UN Human Trafficking Adviser, Steve Chalke, for failing to recognise the role of communities in prevention. Ruth Dearnley, CEO of Stop The Traffik, commented, “Prevention is better than cure. Human trafficking starts in communities and can be stopped by communities.” Concern has also been expressed that promises to improve victim care will not materialise.

Taken together, DFN UK believes that the failure to address these issues weakens the government’s claim to be at the forefront of tackling human trafficking.