The Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland launch an in-depth Inquiry into human trafficking in Scotland with a particular focus on commercial sexual exploitation.
The Inquiry, to be led by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, will seek to identify the nature, extent and causes of human trafficking in Scotland; it will assess to what extent Scotland is meeting international and domestic human rights obligations to prevent and prohibit trafficking, prosecute traffickers, and protect its victims.
The Inquiry will gather material on trafficking in Scotland from broad sources and will take evidence from victims of abuse, experts and those with responsibility for combating trafficking.
Whilst human trafficking for sexual exploitation in not unique to Scotland, the community of interest between agencies and organisations working in this area in Scotland creates an opportunity to examine the issues in a way that may not be so easily done elsewhere. The learning from Scotland can then inform practice across the UK.
Launching the Inquiry Baroness Helena Kennedy QC said:
"Human trafficking is recognised as a grave abuse of human rights, involving coercion and deception. It entails ongoing exploitation and its victims suffer untold misery.
This Inquiry is about making a reality of people’s human rights and serving those whose rights have been violated. We will consider whether recommendations on prevention, prohibition, prosecution and protection are necessary - and ensure human rights are at the centre of Scotland's anti-trafficking policy and practice. It is impressive that Scotland is taking the lead on this issue by holding an inquiry."
Morag Alexander, Scotland Commissioner, Equality and Human Rights Commission said:
"I am delighted that Baroness Kennedy will lead this crucial Inquiry. Human trafficking is one of the most extreme abuses of human rights. There is a suspicion that Scotland has a disproportionate share of the human trafficking trade, and some have expressed concern that there have been no convictions for trafficking offences in Scotland compared to over 100 convictions in the rest of the UK. This Inquiry will examine whether these concerns are well founded. It will also examine the level of services and the information available to victims. However, this is not just about statistics, this is about people whose lives are blighted by harm and misery with the continued existence of sex trafficking.
We will investigate whether trafficking for sexual exploitation is treated merely as an asylum and immigration issue or the real human rights issue that it clearly is. We will examine whether there are areas where policy and practice could benefit from a clearer human rights approach.
The Commission is an accredited national human rights institution and has a duty to oversee compliance with key international obligations. We intend to make sure we do and hope this investigation will deliver real change in not only preventing and prohibiting trafficking but also in protecting its victims."
The Inquiry has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said:
“I welcome this Inquiry and any contribution it can make to support Scotland’s fight against this horrendous, evil crime. The focus of the Inquiry on human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is particularly welcome and this area will benefit from the expertise of the Inquiry members.
“The harm involved in trafficking for indoor prostitution is hidden but the Scottish Government are committed to tackling it and we look forward to working to assist the Commission with this important Inquiry.”
The Inquiry will aim to be completed by Summer 2011. Once it has reached a conclusion, a full report of the Commission's findings, and any recommendations, will be published.
