MacAskill hosts trafficking summit

Oct 14 2012

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is to host a summit to look at new ways the Scottish Government and its partners can tackle the problem of human trafficking in Scotland.

The event on Thursday will bring together representatives from organisations which have a clear role either in tackling the crime or supporting the victims.

Its aim is to identify and agree further action to add to existing measures already being taken.

Mr MacAskill said: "Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime. It's totally unacceptable in this day and age that victims continue to be exploited for forced labour, sex or domestic servitude. We want to do everything we can to stamp it out wherever and whenever it occurs.

"That is why we are hosting the summit on October 18 to bring together a range of partners to look at where we can potentially strengthen existing measures, whilst identifying future priorities for action.

"Thursday is European anti-trafficking day so it is very timely that this summit is being held. I am looking forward to discussing the issue with delivery partners and coming up with some real tangible measures which will strengthen our approach to tacking this appalling crime."

Among the delegates attending will be the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Scotland head of legal Lynn Welsh.

She said: "Almost a year on from the publication of the EHRC's groundbreaking inquiry report into human trafficking in Scotland, we look forward to contributing to this summit, which should be an important milestone in the development of a comprehensive Scottish trafficking strategy to address this terrible human rights abuse.

"The EHRC will shortly carry out a one-year review to assess whether and how our inquiry recommendations have been addressed and implemented by government and public bodies."

The summit will take place in Edinburgh.