20 April 2026 14:29 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government says United Kingdom committed to tackle modern slavery

Key points

Committed to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking
Prioritizing cross-border cooperation, victim support, and sanctions

TL;DR

UK commits to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking, highlighting forced criminality in cyber-scam centres.
UK supports sanctions, cross-border law enforcement cooperation, victim identification and support, and partnerships with civil society.
UK funds targeted projects in Southeast Asia and supports multilateral partners including the OSCE, UN, Alliance 8.7, and the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Original text

Thank you, Moderator, and to the panellists for such insightful presentations. The United Kingdom is firmly committed to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. Human trafficking for forced criminality, particularly within cyber scam operations; is one of the fastest‑evolving forms of exploitation globally. Cyber-scam centres pose major security and human rights risks worldwide, impacting thousands, including those in the UK. We are working with partners to fight human trafficking and forced labour tied to these scams, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable. This includes imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in these activities. Effective cross‑border law enforcement cooperation, including in the digital sphere, is essential. Alongside this, strong victim identification and support systems, preventative measures, and meaningful partnerships with Civil Society are critical. This is why the UK is supporting targeted projects in Southeast Asia to raise awareness of scam‑centre trafficking risks, strengthen victim support and reintegration pathways, and build law enforcement capacity to respond. The UK continues to support the work of multilateral partners including the OSCE, the UN, the Alliance 8.7 Global Partnership, and the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking to help achieve our collective aims. This is very much a global challenge. As OSCE participating states, working together and building shared understanding is critical to tackling the issue. We would like to thank you Special Representative for your international leadership and the pivotal role your office plays in coordinating efforts to address this crime and shining a light on emerging and overlooked forms of trafficking.

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