LIB DEMS BACK LANDMARK POLICY ON FORCED PROSTITUTION AND TRAFFICKING

1.19.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Sep 2006

The Liberal Democrats have supported a landmark policy motion calling for a concerted and sustained effort to end the cruel and inhuman practice of human trafficking.

Drawn up by West Midlands Region MEP Liz Lynne, its adoption means the Liberal Democrats are the only mainstream political party to have a clear and defined position against trafficking. The Policy Motion states that the Liberal Democrats would, in contrast to the current Labour Government, sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Speaking at the Brighton Conference, Liz Lynne MEP said:

"Human trafficking and forced prostitution are an abhorrent and depressing problem. Liberal Democrats have shown that they are the only party getting serious on tackling the issue. I am delighted my colleagues have passed the motion.

"Women rescued from trafficking are often at their most vulnerable and we need to offer them security, support and care. The Government would do well to take heed of what the Liberal Democrats have done today and remember that these women are victims, not criminals."

Kate Allen, Executive Director of Amnesty International UK, added:

"Amnesty International applauds the Liberal Democrats' attention to this most heinous crime of trafficking in people - the modern day slave trade. Amnesty too urges the UK government and all European governments to sign up to the European Convention Against Trafficking without delay in order that victims of this nasty crime can be protected."

Editor's Notes

Liz was the shadow rapporteur for a European Parliament report on Human Trafficking and launched the campaign Business Travellers against Human Trafficking in the European Parliament.

In the European Parliament, she has tabled a written declaration on the need to end the connection between business travellers and the trafficking of women and children into forced prostitution in October 2005, tabled oral questions in the European Parliament in November 2005 and January 2006 and tabled an oral question to the European Commission on the lack of pressure on member states to implement anti-trafficking legislation.

She has also made speeches on the human trafficking situation in Cambodia, Asia and Guatemala.