Modern Slavery Bill, House of Lords second reading

The Commission welcomes this Bill, which is the first of its kind in Europe, and one of the first in the world, to combat some of the most severe forms of exploitation and human rights abuses in the modern world.

However, while strongly supporting the aims of the Bill, the Commission considers that the way it is drafted in some places risks leaving some victims of slavery and trafficking without adequate protection, and some perpetrators able to participate in these inhumane practices free from the fear of being convicted of a criminal offence.

The Commission's legal analysis concludes that the drafting of Clauses 1, 2, 3, 40, 41 and 45 needs to be amended to ensure that the Bill provides clear and comprehensive protection for victims of slavery and trafficking, and complies fully with the UK’s obligations under EU Anti Trafficking Directive 2011/36/EU (the Directive) and international human rights instruments.

Download the Commission's Parliamentary Briefing on the Modern Slavery Bill (Word)

Download the Commission's Parliamentary Briefing on the Modern Slavery Bill (PDF)

Last Updated: 18 Nov 2014