October 20th Diplomatic Conference: Highlights

December 2 marks the United Nations Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

Modern slavery is a global issue, cutting across ethnic, cultural, and religious lines. The term modern slavery includes forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking – referring to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power.

Almost 50 million people worldwide are trafficked, making over $150 billion in profits for organised criminal gangs.

On October 20, the SMG brought together diplomats, faith groups, police, and civil society to start a process aimed at better protecting the UK’s diaspora communities from the scourge of human trafficking. Watch the video to see selected highlights of the conference.