Local MP Alan Campbell welcomed moves to ratify the Council of Europe Convention against human trafficking this year.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith announced on 14 January 2008 the Government’s intention to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the end of the year.

Ratification of the Convention will be another milestone in the Government’s concerted strategy to protect the victims of trafficking and bring to justice those that exploit them.

The necessary legislative and procedural changes for UK ratification will be made before the end of 2008.

Alan Campbell MP for Tynemouth said ‘Trafficking in human beings is the modern form of the old worldwide slave trade.  It treats human beings as a commodity to be bought and sold.  The victims are put to forced labour, usually in the sex industry but also, for example, in the agricultural sector or in sweatshops, for a pittance or nothing at all. Trafficking in human beings directly undermines the values on which the Council of Europe is based.  I am delighted by the Home Secretary’s announcement that the UK will ratify the Convention against Human Trafficking’.

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings can be viewed online at http://www.coe.int/t/DG2/TRAFFICKING/campaign/default_en.asp.