Helen Bamber Foundation concerned about measures  putting trafficking survivors at serious risk

Helen Bamber Foundation, a human rights charity that gives survivors of trafficking and torture the strength to move on, has expressed concerns about measures putting trafficking survivors at serious risk.

It said: “Since coming to power the govt has continued to argue that Albania is a ‘safe’ country, despite the risks facing those seeking protection in the UK.

“Our new briefing shows the harm this has caused Albanian survivors of trafficking – who make up nearly 1/4 of our clients.

One of our clients, Alana, was trafficked to the UK by a man pretending to be her boyfriend. He sexually exploited her for money for over 2 years.

“She was recognised as a victim of trafficking but it was only through the asylum system that she got permission to stay in the UK.”

The foundation noted that the  previous government introduced measures aiming to ensure that no more than 2% of Albanian asylum claims would be successful.

“Our data showed a drop in grants of refugee status to our clients who had been formally confirmed as victims of trafficking from 71% to 10%. 3/5.

“And now this govt, in the Border Security Bill, is keeping section 59 of the Illegal Migration Act, which would expand the list of ‘safe’ countries to include India, Georgia & Albania. Asylum claims from these countries would only be considered in “exceptional circumstances”. 

“We are deeply concerned about any measures that would deny people seeking protection in the UK a fair and individual assessment of their asylum claim, and put trafficking survivors at serious risk.”