Taking Stock of Efforts to Combat Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

Taking Stock of Efforts to Combat Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

On Monday the 19^th of February, the UCL Human Rights Institute hosted a public event that ‘took stock’ of efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, and looked forward to what measures are needed to address these still thriving enterprises, with Professor Urmila Bhoola, Professor Parosha Chandran, Professor Virginia Mantouvalou, and Dr Marija Jovanonic. The event was introduced and chaired by Dr Naomi Lott. 

Drawing upon their experience and expertise as practitioners and academics in the field, the panel asked questions of the successes and failures of previous endeavours and considered the need for new initiatives. The panellists examined topics such as: What can we learn from previous attempts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking? If a new approach is needed, what should this involve, and what measures may bring about significant and lasting change? How timely and fitting is the new Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking? How should new initiatives engage with and work alongside existing actors working to combat modern slavery and human trafficking? The panel also discussed matters such as the tensions between a criminal approach to modern slavery and human trafficking and a human rights based approach, as well as addressing topics such as the role of tort law in combatting modern slavery and human trafficking, and the potentials of labour law to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking and protect vulnerable persons. The panellists also addressed the challenges of climate change and associated increases in vulnerable communities, and the need to contend with corporate responsibility for modern slavery and human trafficking in supply chains.