The Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable James Wolffe QC, has
attended an international summit which aims to establish a strong
and active international network of expert prosecutors tackling
people trafficking, modern slavery, and forced labour.
The event was hosted by the Director of Public Prosecutions for
England and Wales, Alison Saunders CB.
The Summit, titled ‘Stepping Up the Level of Prosecution
for People Trafficking, Modern Slavery, Organised Immigration
Crime and Forced Labour Across Europe’ was announced by
the Prime Minister at the UN General Assembly in September
2017.
The Lord Advocate chaired the session
titled ‘Strengthening the prosecutorial
process’ which examined ways to work more effectively
and flexibly across jurisdictions and to improve co-operation
and sharing of good practice.
The Lord Advocate said:
"Human trafficking is a serious and complex crime that presents
unique challenges to investigators and prosecutors.
“This event presents us all with a real opportunity to
strengthen our collective response to the transnational crimes
of human trafficking, modern slavery, organised immigration
crime and forced labour.
“Law enforcement agencies have always had to address
cross-border issues: persons who commit a crime in one
jurisdiction and flee to another; and crimes which cross
jurisdictional borders. Today, technological, social and
economic developments across the globe have facilitated the
commission of new crimes and the commission of old crimes in
new ways.
“Those developments have played a significant role in
facilitating the activities of criminals involved in the
international trafficking and exploitation of human beings.
“It is palpable in the cases that we encounter that individuals
who commit these offences are no longer restricted by legal
notions such as borders or jurisdiction.
“If we are to tackle these offences in a meaningful way we must
embrace the idea that the most effective response is
collaborative working, sharing experience and upholding a
common set of standards to make sure that transnational
offences are dealt with swiftly, robustly and effectively.
“In February 2016, my predecessor and the heads of the
prosecution services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
signed a set of commitments with the overarching goal that the
prosecuting authorities in the United Kingdom will work closely
together to disrupt networks, prosecuting traffickers and
safeguarding victims’ rights within the Criminal Justice
Process.
“I hope that all of us present here can use this event to
establish relationships that will facilitate similar levels of
communication and cooperation to tackle this truly
transnational issue.”
