Today, the British Ports Association launched their new Modern Slavery and Smuggling Practical Guide at the UK House of Commons.
Authored by Lisa Lewis, and reviewed by multiple organisations and agencies, the guide has been produced to raise awareness on Modern Slavery and
Smuggling (MS&S) activities in the Maritime sector. It provides practical information and case studies from BPA members and the wider maritime networks.
The guide focuses on shore-based exposures and dovetails with the recently issued UK Chamber of Shipping (UKCS) information document: Addressing Human Trafficking Movements – Raising Awareness in UK Shipping.
Introduced by sponsoring Portsmouth North MP, Amanda Martin and the Maritime Minister, Mike Kane, and BPA's Mike Simmonds, the event was well attended with a large cross-section of the maritime industry, state authorites and welfare organisations.
Human Rights at Sea International has been involved by reviewing, editing and drafting contributory text around human and labour rights sections.
As described by David Hammond Esq., “The abuse of individual’s fundamental human and labour rights remains a core threat to not just the human element within the maritime supply and value chains, but for those victims caught up in the unlawful transport, transfer and exploitation by criminal elements. Modern slavery, trafficking and associated criminal activities must be identified, disrupted and addressed at every level, at every location and at every opportunity. Failing to do so, fails victims and their dependents and enables an environment to develop whereby impunity, lack of deterrent effect and failures in the application of the rule of law become the de facto standard. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to maintain a constant and consistent vigilance for the indicators and warnings of modern slavery and smuggling activity, especially when persons may be involved who may be powerless to escape from undesirable influences”.
Review the Guide here
The British Ports Association is the national trade body for UK ports and harbours. Its members handle 86% of the UK’s seaborne trade and as well as supporting other important maritime activity from offshore energy to fishing and marine tourism and leisure.
ENDS.
Source: HRAS International
Images: Lisa Lewis 2024 & Stuart Rivers 2024
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