Human Rights Council 36: Enforced Disappearances and Modern Slavery
UK statement delivered during the Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
The UK thanks the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery for their work and would like to address our remarks to Ms Bhoola.
Ending modern slavery is a top priority for the UK Government and we are addressing the issue within the UK and internationally.
In the UK, the 2015 Modern Slavery Act has ensured a strong and comprehensive response. We have learnt that we need a coordinated and multi-disciplinary approach from government, law enforcement and civil society to comprehensively tackle this crime. The Prime Minister has set up a modern slavery taskforce, which drives the UK’s response, and has pledged 33.5 million pounds to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
There can be no room for complacency and my country, like all States, must do more. The Special Rapporteur plays an important role in the international response. Exchanges like today’s help to strengthen cooperation and coordination. We need to work together to step up our response by sharing knowledge and expertise, improving our evidence base, raising awareness, and improving law enforcement cooperation.
The British Prime Minister is convening a roundtable of leaders in New York next week to endorse an ambitious call to action to end forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking in line with SDG target 8.7. The call to action includes a set of actions to be taken at national and international level.
Ms Bhoola, we entirely agree that States must prevent contemporary forms of slavery, investigate with special diligence, identify and prosecute those responsible and impose appropriate punishment.
We would like to ask what more states can do to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.