Birmingham brothel sting is progress, but Government must do more

2.28.52pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 10th May 2006

Release time: 10/05/2006 Embargo: Immediate

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP and member of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights, today welcomed the arrest of a sex trafficker and the freeing of 6 women in Birmingham, but warned that much more must be done to support victims and criticised the UK's continued failure to sign up to the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking.

Speaking in Brussels today, Liz Lynne said:

"Whilst I congratulate the authorities on this crackdown, it is only a start; much more must be done to raise awareness, support victims' and take steps to reduce this abhorrent practice."

"The government must sign up to the Council of Europe Convention on Human Trafficking which it has so far failed to do. The only way we will stamp out the sex traffic trade is through a common and integrated approach across Europe that establishes minimum standards for the treatment of victims."

"26 states, from Albania to the Ukraine, have now signed this convention. It's time for the UK government to stop dragging its feet."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article363188.ece

1. Of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe, 20 have still to sign the Convention (including the UK and France).

2. Liz Lynne and her Liberal Democrat colleagues have long led the call for tougher laws to deal with the problem of human trafficking, as well as specific measures to help victims.