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We welcome the Government's launch of a public consultation on
its national action plan against human trafficking on 5 January, and its continued
commitment to tackling trafficking.
As part of this process we urge the Government to sign the Council
of Europe's European Convention on Action Against Trafficking
in Human Beings. This is the only international law that provides
trafficked people with guaranteed minimum standards of protection.
These include at least 30 days to remain in the country to receive
support, including emergency medical assistance, safe housing and
legal advice.
Hundreds of women, children and men are trafficked to the United
Kingdom each year into sexual exploitation and for other forms of
forced labour, including domestic slavery, agricultural work, packing
and construction, but the support that exists here is available
only to women trafficked into prostitution and is accessible under
narrow criteria.
We urge the Government to ensure the national action plan includes
a commitment to:
a) guaranteed minimum reflection period for all trafficked people;
b) specialist support and medical assistance; c) specialist safe
houses for child and adult victims of trafficking; d) right to a
temporary residence permit if deemed at risk.
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