This evening, there will be a Westminster Hall debate on Tackling Modern Slavery in Parliament 6.30-7.30pm. The event will be streamed live here.
In advance of the debate, please email your own MP to ask them to participate. Please also download and attach our briefing for MPs (it is likely to carry more weight if sent in by constituents!).
As a result of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, the number of identified victims has risen by 40% and there have been more prosecutions for slavery related offences. However, the first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland stated that there are still “too many gaps in the system for victims to fall through”, and businesses are not held accountable for failing to address modern slavery in their supply chains.
Slavery and trafficking are unavoidably connected to Jewish experience. As stated by the Chief Rabbi, “speaking out against the flagrant violations of human dignity implicit in this crime, should be in our [the Jewish community’s] DNA”.
Today’s Westminster hall debate on Tackling Modern Slavery is a chance for Parliamentarians to take a proactive stand against modern slavery and challenge the government to do more to address what Prime Minister Theresa May described as the “great human rights issue of our time”.
Below is a template email to send to your MP, although feel free to amend and include your own words. You can find out who your MP is by entering in your postcode here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/
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Dear [your MP],
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to attend and speak in today’s Westminster Hall debate on ‘Tackling Modern Slavery’, 6.30-7.30pm.
Modern slavery exists in many forms – including forced labour, forced marriage and human trafficking. Although it is illegal in most countries where it is practised, there are more enslaved people in the world today than at any point in history. The Home Office estimates that 13,000 people in the UK are victims of slavery or trafficking. The number estimated by civil society organisations is close to 100,00.
As a result of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the number of identified victims has risen by 40% and there have been more prosecutions for slavery related offences. However, the first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland stated that there are still “too many gaps in the system for victims to fall through”, and not enough has been done to address modern slavery in supply chains.
Attached is a briefing from René Cassin, a human rights organisation that promotes and protects universal human rights, drawing on Jewish experience and values. Slavery and trafficking are unavoidably connected to Jewish experience and the Jewish community, of which I belong, has made clear its commitment to tackling modern day slavery. I ask that you please represent myself and my community in the debate.
The upcoming Westminster Hall debate on ‘Tackling Modern Slavery’ is a chance for Parliamentarians to take a proactive stand against modern slavery and challenge the Government to do more to address what Prime Minister Theresa May described as the “great human rights issue of our time”.
I hope to see you there.
Best wishes,
[name and postcode]