Comment on modern slavery and PM’s trip to Africa

Sir Peter Fahy, Director of Structural Reform, Hope for Justice
As the British Prime Minister makes a speech in Nigeria today about modern slavery as part of her tour of African nations, our Director of Structural Reform, Sir Peter Fahy, says: “Our day-to-day experience in the slum communities and rural villages of Africa is that social and economic inequality exploited by criminality is driving human trafficking.
“It is good to see the Prime Minister recognising that more investment is needed to strengthen African economies and ensure that vulnerable people don’t have to put themselves at great risk to find a future.
“Even the poorest have access to mobile phones and satellite television and can see what life is like in Europe. They are duped into horrendous journeys leading to the misery of kidnapping, forced labour and forced sex work.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to victim care is also welcome as victims of trafficking need long-term rehabilitation and support if they are to recover from their trauma and find a normal family life.”