Reforms to modern slavery framework examined
The Joint Committee on Human Rights continues its inquiry into the human rights of asylum seekers in the UK on Wednesday 15 March, when it takes evidence from witnesses including former Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Professor Dame Sara Thornton; and representatives of the Anti-Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit, Human Trafficking Foundation and the Salvation Army.
Meeting details
In the last two years, the Government has introduced new legislation designed to combat what it sees as abuse of the modern slavery system. The Nationality and Borders Act 2022 introduced changes to the modern slavery framework, including to the definition of a ‘victim’ for the purposes of the Act, and to the disclosure of information by potential victims. Now the Illegal Migration Bill proposes further changes to the modern slavery framework, which would disapply modern slavery provisions to those who enter or arrive in the UK irregularly and have passed through or stopped in a safe country (with limited exceptions). It would also place an obligation on the Home Secretary to remove such individuals from the UK, including victims of trafficking and slavery, under certain circumstances.
In this evidence session, the Joint Committee on Human Rights will examine the impact of these new provisions and whether they comply with the UK’s human rights obligations. It will investigate how protections for victims of modern slavery and trafficking might change, including for asylum-seeking children. The session will also examine whether the proposition that current modern slavery protections are being abused are well-founded.