Human trafficking

The violation of human rights

Prior to the Archbishop's ordination in 1979, John Sentamu criticised the Amin regime for its violation of human rights and his sentencing of Amin's soldiers led to his arrest and departure from Uganda to the UK in 1974. He has since acted as an Adviser to the Stephen Lawrence judicial inquiry in 1997-1999. Most recently the Archbishop has taken the abolition of the act of slavery to tackle the impact of trade legacies today including examples of human trafficking, sex trafficking, child slave labour.

Stop the Traffick


According to Government figures Britain is a major focus for the global trade of sexual exploitation of women by traffickers, who trick or abduct young women and force them into prostitution: 10 years ago 85% of women in brothels were UK citizens; now 85% are from outside the UK.

The group that regulates and represents local newspapers has said that they will be considering new rules to bring an end to the advertising of brothels in classified adverts in recognition of the number of trafficked women who end up working in such places.

Sex trafficking is modern day slavery. The underlying view of human nature upon which it is based is nothing short of abhorrent. The view that other human beings – each made in the image of God and carriers of His imprimatur – are nothing more than disposable commodities, has no place in twenty first century Britain.

The Government has announced a review to look into prosecuting men who buy sex in an attempt to bring trafficking to an end. Such proposals are welcome and demonstrate that, combined with improved treatment of those who have been victims of trafficking, this Government is serious about ending modern day slavery in Britain.