PRESS RELEASES

Friday, 6th  January 2006

Human Trafficking Victims Could Be Given Right To Stay In Uk

Some victims of human traffickers could be given an automatic right to stay in the UK under plans to tackle the trade. New support schemes are among the other options being considered in the public consultation by the Home Office and Scottish Executive.

more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4580746.stm

There is no evidence of any `pull factor' on immigration from other countries like Italy, Belgium and Holland which do provide reflection periods for victims and the possibility of residence if they co-operate with prosecutions of the vicious criminals behind the trade. It is a sad indictment of this Government's priorities that they see the rape and brutalisation of foreign women in this country as an issue of border controls and not human rights. This consultation is the latest in a series of bitterly disappointing policy failures by the Government in this area.
 

ENDS

  Stephanie Dearden

  Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
2. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm