Time to 'recover and reflect' must be adopted throughout UK - Lynne

5.42.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Oct 2005

The Home Office's decision to allow the victims of human traffickers to remain in the UK to 'recover and reflect' was welcomed by Liz Lynne MEP. The West-Midlands MEP campaigned that sex slaves in Birmingham, and all victims of human trafficking, should not to be treated as illegal immigrants but as victims of a heinous crime.

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP, said,

"This is a step in the right direction. But the Government must now formalise this action and make recovery time standard practice throughout the UK.

"A second step towards helping victims and ending the trade in sexual slavery is signing the European Convention Against Trafficking of Human Beings. The UK must be a party to this Convention and I hope the decision by the Home Office is a precursor to formal acceptance of the Convention.

"These people are not illegal immigrants they are victims of crime whose human rights have been violated, that is why I am strongly in favour of the so-called 'breathing' period - or recovery period as the Home Office is calling it.

"I hope that the Government allows for at least 30 days, which would allow the victims of trafficking time to stay in the member state to consider whether they wish to co-operate in the prosecution of the trafficker. During that time, they should also be given access to counselling and other assistance. They must also be given the option to apply for residence if they would be in danger on returning to their home country or if indeed they agree to give evidence."

ENDS.