Watchdog disputes Braverman’s claim modern slavery laws being ‘gamed’ – The Guardian

‘The head of Britain’s labour abuse watchdog says her organisation has not seen anyone “gaming” the modern slavery system for immigration purposes. The comments directly contradict the home secretary, Suella Braverman, who said last week that trafficking claims from “people gaming the system” were “derailing the UK’s policy on illegal migration”.’

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The Guardian, 9th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Number of potential trafficking victims locked up in UK triples in four years – The Guardian

Posted October 4th, 2022 in detention, news, reports, statistics, trafficking in human beings, victims by sally

‘The number of potential trafficking victims who have been detained by the Home Office has tripled in four years, according to a new report.’

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The Guardian, 4th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Crown court roll-out of pre-recorded evidence in England and Wales complete – BBC News

Posted September 27th, 2022 in Crown Court, evidence, news, rape, trafficking in human beings, victims, video recordings by sally

‘The use of pre-recorded evidence from victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape has been rolled out across all crown courts in England and Wales.’

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BBC News, 26th September 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Should Shamima Begum be allowed to return to the UK to argue her case? – The Guardian

‘It is not new – although it is eyecatching – to report that Shamima Begum, then 15, was helped to travel to Syria and join Islamic State by a Canadian agent. Mohammed al-Rashed was picked up by the Turkish authorities in March 2015, and said at the time he was an informant for Canadian intelligence, and had helped Begum travel from Istanbul airport to the Syrian border a few days earlier.’

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The Guardian, 31st August 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Upper Tribunal Rejects Points-Based Approach to Article 8 Proportionality Assessment – EIN Blog

‘Immigration judges often need to conduct a balancing exercise to assess where to strike the balance between an individual’s Article 8 right to respect for private and family life and the public interest in maintaining effective immigration control by removing a foreign national to their country of origin.’

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EIN Blog, 23rd August 2022

Source: www.ein.org.uk

New Guidance Will Help Modern Slavery Victims In Prison – Each Other

‘Victims of modern slavery are to receive better support in prison following a legal challenge which highlighted a lack of guidance for prison staff. The new guidance, to be issued later this year, will help prison staff support victims and potential victims of modern slavery who have been imprisoned under criminal powers.’

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Each Other, 4th August 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

No diplomatic immunity for actions grounded in modern slavery allegations – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Basfar v Wong [2022] UKSC 20. Judgment here, links to hearings here. The landmark decision handed down on 6 July 2022 by a majority of 3 to 2 in the Supreme Court held that a serving diplomat does not enjoy immunity in an employment tribunal claim grounded in allegations of modern slavery.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 18th July 2022

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Mo Farah: Police investigate trafficking revelations – BBC News

Posted July 14th, 2022 in children, London, news, police, trafficking in human beings by tracey

‘The Metropolitan Police say they have opened an investigation into Sir Mo Farah’s revelation that he was trafficked to the UK as a child.’

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BBC News, 14th July 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mo Farah: What would happen to a trafficked child in the UK today? – The Independent

‘Sir Mo Farah’s decision to reveal that he was a victim of human trafficking as a child has sparked questions over how he would be treated if he arrived in the UK today.’

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The Independent, 12th July 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

No diplomatic immunity in modern slavery cases, Supreme Court rules – BBC News

‘The UK Supreme Court has ruled that diplomats cannot hide behind immunity to exploit workers, in a victory for campaigners against modern slavery.’

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BBC News, 7th July 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Judgment: Basfar v Wong [2022] UKSC 20 – UKSC Blog

‘The Appellant (a national of the Philippines) is a migrant domestic worker who worked in the household of the Respondent, a diplomat representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom. Ms Wong claims to be a victim of human trafficking who was forced to work for Mr Basfar and his family in circumstances of modern slavery after they brought her with them to the UK in August 2016.’

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UKSC Blog, 6th July 2022

Source: ukscblog.com

Bristol couple jailed for enslaving 29 Slovakian people – The Guardian

Posted June 23rd, 2022 in forced labour, news, sentencing, trafficking in human beings by sally

‘A couple have been jailed for a total of 25 years after trafficking at least 29 vulnerable people to the UK and forcing them to work for free at a car wash and live in a property described as the “gate to hell”.’

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The Guardian, 22nd June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Sudanese trafficking victims must stay in detention, judge rules – The Guardian

‘Three Sudanese victims of torture and trafficking who were threatened with being deported to Rwanda on a controversial charter flight last week have had their pleas to be released from detention rejected by a high court judge.’

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The Guardian, 20th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

What Is Modern Slavery And Are Victims Being Failed? – Each Other

‘Despite protections under the Modern Slavery Act (2015), victims of modern slavery in the UK are still struggling to access support, or to be recognised as victims at all. In the first three months of 2021, almost 3,000 potential victims were referred to the Home Office. According to a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by EachOther to the Home Office, between January and September 2021, immigration authorities detained 229 people who were identified as possible victims of modern slavery. Now, charities have raised concerns over the government’s approach to children exploited by drug trafficking gangs and migrant victims of modern slavery, who may be detained and deported if identified.’

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Each Other, 23rd May 2022

Source: eachother.org.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2022 c. 28 – Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

2022 c. 27 – Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022

2022 c. 26 – Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022

2022 c. 22 – Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

2022 c. 20 – Professional Qualifications Act 2022

2022 c. 17 – Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022

2022 c. 36 – Nationality and Borders Act 2022

2022 c. 34 – British Sign Language Act 2022

2022 c. 32 – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

2022 c. 29 – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022

2022 c. 24 – Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Gang jailed for locking 35 people in boxes to smuggle them into UK – The Independent

‘A five-man gang has been jailed after smuggling 35 Afghan people into the UK inside purpose-built “coffin-like” wooden boxes.’

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The Independent, 10th May 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

UK’s visa schemes ‘creating and heightening’ trafficking and exploitation risks – The Independent

‘The UK’s visa schemes for Ukrainian refugees are “lacking in clarity, resourcing and accountability” and are heightening the risk of trafficking and exploitation, according to a report.’

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The Independent, 29th April 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Edward Colston statue case sent to Court of Appeal – BBC News

‘The acquittal of four people on trial for toppling Bristol’s Edward Colston statue has prompted the attorney general to contact the Court of Appeal.’

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BBC News, 13th April 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

C of E procedures on racial injustice ‘inadequate’, says Cambridge college – The Guardian

‘The Church of England’s procedures for addressing issues of racial injustice and contested heritage are “inadequate” and “not fit for purpose”, according to the head of Jesus College at the University of Cambridge.’

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The Guardian, 12th April 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ministers ‘failing to protect’ people trafficked to UK as modern slaves – The Guardian

‘Ministers are failing to protect people trafficked to Britain as modern slaves, the government’s own expert has said.’

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The Guardian, 17th March 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com