Members of Parliament from Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya and Pakistan have attended a seminar at Westminster, London on December 11-14, 2017 to review and develop legislation against modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.
Members of Parliament from Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya and Pakistan have attended a seminar at Westminster, London on December 11-14, 2017 to review and develop legislation against modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.
Organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s UK branch (CPA), the seminar is intended to provide a platform for UK parliamentarians to discuss the issues, challenges and solutions to trafficking and forced labour with fellow Commonwealth parliamentarians.
The CPA represents over 180 parliaments and legislatures in the 52 Commonwealth countries, with a network extending to over 17,000 parliamentarians and parliamentary staff.
It exists to support these individuals in implementing Commonwealth values and to promote benchmarks of good governance.
Many participants of the Legislative Drafting seminar, part of the CPA’s Modern Slavery Project, were previously involved in the passing of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, legislation that made provision for tackling the illicit activity and its related crimes and ensured protection for victims.
According to CPA UK Communications Officer Mark Scott, recent research from the Walk Free Foundation and the International Labour Organisation estimates that 40 million people are victims of forced labour, trafficking and slavery worldwide.
Sub-Saharan Africa records the highest rate of child trafficking in the world and struggles particularly with challenges related to forced labour in industry, services and agriculture, as well as sex trafficking from neighbouring countries.
Vernon Coaker MP, Co-Chair of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, said: “It is unacceptable that modern slavery and human trafficking still exist in the world today.
“Parliamentarians have an important role to play in ending this shameful practice and I welcome the opportunity to work with colleagues from across the Commonwealth to see how we can scrutinise, review and strengthen legislation to combat it.”
