TACKLING MODERN SLAVERY IN THE COMMONWEALTH
itself to be an invaluable tool in terms of our international response to these crimes. Organisations from around the world are able to share their initiatives and practices on the map which can then be used by legislators from other nations to help them curb similar issues in their home country. I would encourage all Parliamentarians to regularly take a look at this map and to submit any initiatives
which you think others may find useful (https://www. modernslaverymap.org/). Modern slavery is one of those pernicious issues which no single nation has a silver bullet solution to. Ridding our world of this scourge is going to require every country to take action to strengthen our collective resolve to changing the status-quo. The scale of the challenge ahead of us is far from insignificant
but by continuing to work collaboratively through brilliant organisations like the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), we can – and we will – finally turn the tide on this disease which shames us all. Modern slavery is a disease – pure and simple. It is far more widespread than most people would ever countenance and its appalling ability to blight lives across our world means
we must all act. We must prevent these crimes from being hidden by a deadly combination of fear, shame, and circumstance. Despite the scale of the challenge, I remain confident that by working together, we can stamp it out in totality by 2030. In just ten years’ time, let’s all make sure we can look back and say that we played our part in bringing about a better, more just world for everyone.
CPA UK Branch launches updated e-Handbook for Commonwealth Parliamentarians to raise awareness of modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour The CPA UK Branch has launched the second volume of the e-Handbook on Legislating against Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour, which is a comprehensive resource for Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials on legislating effectively against modern slavery-related crimes. The first volume, published in 2018, looked in detail at the process of reviewing and strengthening legislation from gaining cross-party support to drafting a Bill itself. Urmila Bhoola, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery (20142020), described it as “the most comprehensive, insightful and practical guide that exists in its field.” Recognising that modern slavery-related crimes are ever evolving - and with growing global awareness - CPA UK has produced a second volume of the e-Handbook titled Legislating against Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour: The Role of Parliament to Scrutinise and Raise Awareness, which takes into account emerging trends in addressing modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. The resource covers themes such as good practice for Parliamentary Committees and evidence hearings; the importance of raising awareness in Parliament and constituencies; and the role of the media in combatting these heinous crimes. The e-Handbook contains contributions from over 40 Parliamentarians, experts and organisations from across the Commonwealth and includes a foreword from former UK Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Theresa May MP. It has been produced under the banner of CPA UK’s Modern Slavery Project: a four-year multilateral project funded by the UK Government as part of its Commonwealth fund. The project aims to encourage and facilitate a greater understanding of the national and international benefits of introducing and strengthening modern slavery-related legislation and exchange learning. UK Parliamentarian, Darren Jones MP, who is one of the e-Handbook’s contributors, stated: “Once again, the CPA UK team have pulled together a comprehensive resource with ground-breaking multi-lateral work from across the
Commonwealth on tackling human trafficking and, importantly, what legislators can do to have a real and meaningful impact in their own countries. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in tackling this global problem to read the e-Handbook and consider what they might do to help.” To access the CPA UK’s new e-Handbook: Legislating against Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking & Forced Labour please visit www.uk-cpa. org/modernslavery.
144 | The Parliamentarian | 2020: Issue Two | 100 years of publishing 1920-2020
