13/10/2006

MPs urge ministers to tackle people trafficking

A committee of MPs and peers has urged the Government to tackle the increase in the growth of people trafficking in the UK.

Unpublished Government research shows around 4,000 women victims of trafficking and prostitution were in the country in 2003 at any one time, according to an inquiry report published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

The Committee describes the problem as "one of the most serious human rights issues in the modern world" and is calling for more action to be taken.

In 2000 Home Office figures gave a range of between 142 and 1,420 women trafficked into the UK in 1998.

Committee Chairman and Labour MP Andre Dismore said: "The growth and extent of people trafficking into the UK is extremely worrying.

"We should recognise women trafficked for prostitution through deception, fear and violence as victims of this serious crime and not immigration offenders or criminals themselves."

(CD/SP)

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