These assessments show what action government has taken to carry out the United Nation’s (UN’s) recommendations, within the scope of our methodology.
They include recommendations from the UN committees associated with the human rights treaties that the UK government has signed and ratified (agreed to follow), which are:
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT)
Assessments are up to date as of December 2024.
Overview of action taken
Definition of human trafficking
What we assessed in the recommendation
Adopt in law the internationally agreed definition of human trafficking, as set out in the Palermo Protocol.
CEDAW concluding observations 2019, paragraph 34:
The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Ensure that the definition of human trafficking in its domestic legislation is in line with the internationally agreed definition as set out in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
In UK law, under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the definition of trafficking still requires the travel of the individual being trafficked. This is more limited than the definition in the Palermo Protocol, which also includes harbouring or recruitment of the individual concerned.
National strategy to stop trafficking in women and girls
What we assessed in the recommendation
Adopt a comprehensive national strategy to stop trafficking in women and girls.
CEDAW concluding observations 2019, paragraph 34:
The Committee recommends that the State party: (b) Adopt a comprehensive national strategy to combat trafficking in women and girls, as previously recommended.
The UK government has not adopted a national strategy to combat trafficking in women and girls since the recommendation was made in 2019. The 2014 Modern Slavery Strategy does not focus specifically on trafficking in women and girls. However, it does reference some programmes to help some groups of women and girls avoid being trafficked.
Children's consent to their sale or exploitation
What we assessed in the recommendation
Change the Modern Slavery Act to clarify that children cannot consent to their own sale or exploitation.
CRC concluding observations 2023, paragraph 55:
Recalling its guidelines regarding the implementation of the Optional Protocol and its previous recommendations, the Committee recommends that the State party: (b) Amend the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to clarify that children can never consent to their own sale or exploitation.
Since the recommendation was made in June 2023, section 1 (5) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 continues to state that consent does not preclude a finding that the person is being held in slavery or servitude, or required to perform forced or compulsory labour. However, this provision does not state that children cannot consent to their own sale or exploitation. Modern Slavery Act statutory and non-statutory guidance on the application of the act does clarify that children ‘are not able to give informed consent […] to be trafficked’.
Human trafficking claims, prosecution and compensation
What we assessed in the recommendation
Improve efforts to investigate claims of human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and ensure that victims obtain compensation. Consider creating a civil remedy for victims of trafficking.
CAT concluding observations 2019, paragraph 59:
The State party should: (a) Enhance its efforts to investigate claims of human trafficking and prosecute perpetrators and ensure that victims of trafficking obtain compensation, including by considering creating a civil remedy for victims of trafficking.
There is no evidence that the UK government have improved efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking offences since the recommendation was made in June 2019.
The Illegal Migration Act 2023 places a duty on the Home Secretary to remove people who have arrived in the UK via an irregular route. This includes people who have made claims as victims of trafficking. This provision is not yet in force. However, it has the potential to reduce protections for victims of trafficking. The provision would make it harder for them to make a claim and have it investigated before they are removed. Our written evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights about the Illegal Migration Bill (2023) outlines this.
Since the recommendation was made, victims of trafficking have continued to have access to compensation. This may include:
- making a civil claim for injuries suffered, including psychological pain and suffering (within 3 years of the injury)
- an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in cases of violent crime (within 2 years)
- a claim to an employment tribunal for compensation for unfair treatment at work (within 3 months)
However, the UK government has not introduced a new, specific civil remedy for victims of trafficking. There is also no evidence that UK government has considered creating one.
Page updates
Published:
29 January 2025
Last updated:
29 January 2025