SMG Statement: Government’s Pledge to Defeat Human Trafficking and People Smuggling Gangs

The Santa Marta Group welcomes the UK government’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and people smuggling, following a speech by Prime Minister Starmer at the Interpol annual general assembly in Glasgow on Monday, 4 November.

The Prime Minister said he would target “gangs forcing the vulnerable into modern slavery or prostitution” and would double funding for the UK’s border security agency and treat people-smuggling gangs like terror networks, as they were a serious threat to global security. He promised greater security, respecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.

Sir Iain Livingstone, Santa Marta Group trustee and formerly the chief constable of Police Scotland, participated in a number of fringe events and discussions promoting the collaborative approach of Santa Marta. He said: “We welcome the recognition by the Prime Minister and the UK government that human trafficking should be treated in a similar way to terrorism. The significance of human trafficking being accepted as a priority at the highest level of government is crucial, with recognition that partnership and collaboration across geographical and sector boundaries is essential. This is the approach of Santa Marta Group, which has been pioneering in its convening role and we remain committed to this approach.”

Interpol has 196 member countries, is governed by international law and includes in its expertise human trafficking and migrant smuggling, cybercrime and organised crime.

Prime Minister Starmer said: “We want to send a clear message to the world’s most hardened criminals: there is no safe haven. There is no place that you can hide from justice. Together - we’ve got the whole world covered. And together – we will defeat you.

And look – there is a particular group of organised criminals that urgently need to hear this message: the vile people smugglers, who think that human life can be trafficked, that borders can be ignored. And that desperation, misery and hope – they prey on that too – are all emotions that are ripe for exploitation.

Make no mistake – people smuggling needs a global response. And on a scale – way beyond where we are now. We need to unlock the power of that co-operation – across borders, agencies, continents – even… And so I will work with anyone serious who can offer solutions on this – anyone. Because without co-ordinated, global action, it will not go away.

We have to use every tool we have - operational, diplomatic, political - to join up our response.”