United Kingdom and Ireland

The Headlines

Ports Target Modern Slavery and People Trafficking with New Industry Guidelines
A new set of industry guidelines has been introduced to help ports worldwide tackle modern slavery and human trafficking more effectively. The guidance encourages greater vigilance in ports as they serve as key transit points and aims to strengthen collaborative measures among stakeholders. By providing clearer protocols, the initiative seeks to aid port workers and officials in identifying and reporting suspicious activity, hoping to reduce the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through maritime routes.
Read more at Sea News

Criminal Gangs Exploiting Vulnerable People's Homes as Drug Dens in the UK

A disturbing trend known as "cuckooing" has emerged in the UK, where criminal gangs take over the homes of vulnerable individuals to use as bases for illegal drug activities and human trafficking. This form of exploitation often involves coercion, intimidation, and violence, trapping vulnerable people in their own homes. Authorities are increasing efforts to identify and assist victims while clamping down on organised crime activities linked to cuckooing.
Read more at The Big Issue

Parliamentary Committee Recommends Overhaul to UK’s Modern Slavery Laws

A recent report by a UK parliamentary committee has highlighted critical gaps in the country’s approach to modern slavery, calling for robust changes to existing laws. This push for reform aims to strengthen protections for vulnerable individuals and streamline enforcement against exploitative practices. Hill Dickinson delves into the committee’s findings, which underscore the need for legislative change to address emerging threats in trafficking and forced labor across sectors.

Read more at Hill Dickinson.

Regional Stories

England

Last week, Hertfordshire police led a series of targeted operations to combat human trafficking and exploitation across the county. This multi-agency effort focused on identifying victims, disrupting trafficking networks, and raising community awareness on exploitation.

• Hertfordshire: Week of operations targeting exploitation in Hertfordshire.

Republic of Ireland

Recent conferences underscored the essential role of healthcare professionals in identifying victims of human trafficking, an issue that the Santa Marta Group has previously engaged with and continues to prioritise. Experts stressed the necessity for specialised training in this area, and the Santa Marta Group has supported these efforts by providing educational materials to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to help enhance recognition and response to signs of exploitation.

• Dublin: Medics Must Be Trained to Recognise Signs of Human Trafficking, Conference Told. A U.S. ambassador emphasised the urgent need for medical professionals to receive training on recognising signs of human trafficking. The lack of awareness among medics, the ambassador said, can lead to neglect of some of society's most vulnerable individuals.

Europe

Across Europe, efforts to combat human trafficking are growing through public awareness and stronger law enforcement. In North Macedonia, a new campaign encourages citizens to recognise signs of labor exploitation, while recent arrests in Bosnia demonstrate the region's commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable individuals.

• North Macedonia: Raising Public Awareness in North Macedonia: A Campaign to Combat Labour Exploitation. A new initiative launched in North Macedonia by the Council of Europe aims to educate the public on the hidden consequences of human trafficking for labour exploitation. Titled “Maybe You Are Also Involved in Labor Exploitation,” this awareness campaign encourages individuals to recognise the signs of exploitation within everyday environments. By involving communities and raising awareness, this effort seeks to reduce trafficking risks and create safer workplaces.

  
  

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnia Arrests Eight Human-Trafficking Suspects. Authorities in Bosnia have detained eight individuals on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking. This operation reflects increasing efforts in the region to combat trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable people across borders.

  
  

Africa

Throughout Africa, the fight against human trafficking is gaining ground through legal action, public awareness, and collaboration. From Côte d'Ivoire to Nigeria and South Africa, recent efforts highlight a growing commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and protecting vulnerable communities.

• Cote d'Ivoire: Court Jails Nigerian Woman 12 Years in Cote d'Ivoire for Sex Trafficking as Four Girls Regain Freedom. In a significant legal victory against human trafficking, a Nigerian woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in Côte d'Ivoire for her involvement in sex trafficking. This case, in which four girls were liberated from exploitative conditions, highlights the ongoing efforts of the Global Anti-Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO) and the Nigerian National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in West Africa.

  
  

• Guinea-Bissau: UN Expert to Evaluate Human Trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. In Guinea-Bissau, a UN expert will assess human trafficking amid rising international concern. The evaluation aims to address vulnerabilities and enhance protections in the region.

  
  

• Nigeria: Kwara Government Sensitizes Residents on Human Trafficking. The Kwara State government in Nigeria has launched a public awareness initiative to educate residents on human trafficking laws and encourage vigilance. The campaign underscores that ignorance of the law is no defense, aiming to foster a law-abiding, informed community.

  
  

• Nigeria: Kwara task force reads the riot act to human traffickers. the Kwara State government has also mobilsed a task force to address human trafficking, emphasising the importance of community vigilance. The initiative aims to raise awareness of trafficking laws and the severe consequences for offenders, reinforcing the message that local residents play a crucial role in combating exploitation and protecting vulnerable individuals.

  
  

• Somalia: Airport Officials Dismissed Amid Human Trafficking, Terror Allegations Linked to Forged Passports. Several officials at Somalia’s main airport were dismissed following allegations of involvement in human trafficking and terrorism-related activities, reportedly using forged U.S. and UK passports. This incident highlights the intersection of trafficking with other criminal activities and national security risks.

• South Africa: Collaborations Key to Ending Human Trafficking in Gauteng. In South Africa's Gauteng region, collaborative efforts are proving essential in the fight against human trafficking. Busi Kheswa, Deputy Director of Media Liaison and Strategy at the Gauteng Department of Social Development, highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and coordinated actions across governmental and non-governmental organisations to address this critical issue.

Asia and Oceania

In Asia and Oceania, countries are ramping up anti-trafficking efforts through tougher laws, specialised enforcement, and regional cooperation. From China’s sentencing of a child trafficker to Australia’s new federal unit, recent actions signal a strong commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling trafficking networks.

• China: Government Sentences Child Trafficker to Death for Exploiting 17 Victims. In a landmark judgment, a Chinese court has sentenced a child trafficker to death following their conviction for trafficking at least 17 children. The case shines a light on the continued vulnerability of children to trafficking and the growing governmental efforts to curb these incidents.

  
  

• Australia: Increased Federal Law Enforcement to Combat Human Exploitation. With a noticeable rise in human exploitation cases, Australia has established a specialised federal police unit dedicated to tackling human trafficking. These officers are trained to identify, investigate, and disrupt trafficking networks across the country, working closely with local law enforcement. The new measures reflect Australia's commitment to dismantling trafficking operations and providing support for survivors of exploitation.

  
  

• Australia: Sexual precarity’: how insecure work puts migrants at risk of being sexually harassed, assaulted or trafficked. Migrant workers facing insecure job conditions are at higher risk of exploitation, including sexual harassment, assault, and trafficking. This report from The Conversation AU explores the concept of “sexual precarity” and its alarming connection to vulnerable work situations. With limited protections and significant economic pressures, migrants find themselves increasingly exposed to exploitation, underscoring an urgent need for policy intervention to protect those at risk.

  
  

• Philippines: Trafficking Scandal Unfolds in the Philippines, POGO Industry Under Scrutiny. Prominent Philipino attorney Harry Roque has been named in a human trafficking case tied to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac. This case sheds light on trafficking networks linked to the POGO industry, raising serious concerns about regulatory oversight and the treatment of vulnerable individuals within the sector. The Philstar report outlines the ongoing legal and humanitarian issues and the call for accountability within the industry.

  
  

• India: A Human Trafficking Crisis in India’s Tea Gardens: Advocacy for Victims’ Safe Return. The Oju Welfare Committee, an NGO based in Arunachal Pradesh, is raising the alarm on a growing human trafficking crisis in Tinsukia’s tea gardens. Vulnerable workers, often women and young people, are being trafficked with little recourse for safe return. As the crisis deepens, advocacy for the victims’ rescue and reintegration becomes crucial. Pratidin Time reports on the challenges in addressing trafficking within this industry and the importance of NGOs in supporting affected communities.

  
  

• India: Poverty main cause for sex trafficking. A study by the Goa-based NGO ARZ identifies poverty as a key driver of sex trafficking, with victims primarily coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in India and neighboring countries. The report calls for stronger laws, better victim support, and comprehensive rehabilitation programs to address the root causes of trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.

  
  

• Afghanistan: Calls for United Regional Efforts Against Human Trafficking. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has urged neighboring countries to strengthen their regional collaboration against human trafficking, focusing on increased security measures and mutual support across borders. This call for united regional efforts underscores the cross-border challenges of human trafficking and the need for cohesive action in affected areas.

Latin America

Across Latin America, countries are intensifying their efforts to combat human trafficking, with Mexico making headlines after the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned cartel members for their involvement in drug and human trafficking. This action reflects a broader regional commitment to dismantling organised crime networks and protecting vulnerable populations throughout the continent.

• Mexico: Cartel members sanctioned for drug, human trafficking ties. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned five individuals and two entities connected to the Mexican drug trafficking organisation La Linea, which is implicated in fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. These sanctions aim to disrupt their criminal operations and hold them accountable for their activities.

  
  

North America

In North America, efforts to combat human trafficking are increasing amid several high-profile cases. A proposed House bill aims to establish a Department of Justice database for tracking trafficking cases, while a Canadian city calls for stronger protections for international students. These developments highlight a growing commitment to addressing exploitation and accountability in various sectors.

• United States: Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Pleads Not Guilty in Sex Trafficking Case. Mike Jeffries, former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, has pleaded not guilty to charges in a high-profile sex trafficking case. Accusations against Jeffries allege his involvement in trafficking young men, bringing renewed scrutiny to exploitation in elite networks. The case has attracted significant media attention, highlighting the need for accountability in powerful social circles and increased awareness of trafficking risks.

  
  

• United States: House Bill Aims for Department of Justice Human Trafficking Database. A new U.S. House bill proposes the establishment of a dedicated Department of Justice (DoJ) database for tracking human trafficking cases, aiming to streamline resources, improve data sharing, and enhance law enforcement coordination. This initiative is a promising step toward a more unified national approach to combating human trafficking.

  
  

• Canada: City Urges Institutions to Crack Down on International Student Sex Trafficking. A Canadian city is calling on educational institutions to take stronger measures to prevent the exploitation of international students, particularly those at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking. This report sheds light on the growing vulnerabilities within student populations and the critical need for safeguarding measures within the education sector.
  

  
  

• United States: Bail Bondsman Accused of Bailing Woman Out of Prison in Exchange for Sex. A Florida bail bondsman faces charges for allegedly bailing a woman out of prison in return for sexual favors. This case highlights the ongoing misuse of power and exploitation within the justice system, raising concerns about victim vulnerability.