Human Trafficking

Throughout my time in the Parliament I will be fighting against and raising awareness of the disgrace that is this modern-day slave trade.

This under-reported and under-represented crime is the shame of Britain, the European Union and the World. It is a problem that can only be tackled by working in complete partneership with our neighbours which is why the European Union needs to take the lead in fighting this abhorrent trade.

Here you will be able to learn more about trafficking, see my work on the subject, and the work of the many organisations that I'm now working with. Please see below the latest news about my work on this issue.

13 Most Recent Stories From Catherine Bearder MEP News Stories

Wed 25th Aug 2010:

Trafficked sex workers on our doorstep

Commenting on the report by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), which revealed for the first time the true scale of human trafficking across the South East of England, Euro MP and anti-Trafficking campaigner Catherine Bearder MEP said:

Tue 15th Jun 2010:

The real losers in the World Cup

In anticipation of the football World Cup in South Africa Catherine Bearder MEP wrote a letter to the Guardian warning fans to be vigilant for the dark side of major sporting competitions. Please see the full text below:

Tue 2nd Feb 2010:

Protect Haiti's Children

South East Euro MP Catherine Bearder has asked the European Commission to do all it can to protect the children of Haiti.

Tue 26th Jan 2010:

Trafficking and adoption of children from Haiti in Europe

Today Catherine Bearder MEP submitted a written question to the European Commission on the current situation in Haiti and the threat of human trafficking. Please see the full text below:

Wed 20th Jan 2010:

Comprehensive care for trafficked children

Catherine Bearder, Lib Dem Euro MP for South East England, has urged the European Commission and Member States to ensure trafficked children are given comprehensive and specialist support.

Tue 19th Jan 2010:

Preventing trafficking in human beings

Today Catherine Bearder MEP made a speech to the European Parliament on the EU's approach to human trafficking. Please see the full text below:

Thu 26th Nov 2009:

Modern-Day Slavery

Local Euro MP Catherine Bearder today joined fellow Lib Dem Liz Lynne to call for the European Union and its member states to take modern-day slavery more seriously.

Mon 19th Oct 2009:

EU Anti-Trafficking Day in Oxford

On Sunday 18th October, Euro MP for Oxford Catherine Bearder met with local residents and students to celebrate EU Anti-Trafficking Day. The Royal Blenheim pub in central Oxford was selling the locally brewed William Wilberforce Freedom Ale* to commemorate the day, and 10% of the brewery's profits on this beer are donated to Stop The Traffik.

Thu 15th Oct 2009:

Human Trafficking has to be stopped

Today Catherine Bearder MEP wrote a letter on human trafficking to the regional press in South East England. Please see below for the full text:

Mon 17th Aug 2009:

Lets Stop the Trafficking of Children

This week Catherine pledged her support to ECPAT UK and their campaign to stop the trafficking of children. ECAPT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is a leading UK children's rights organization. They work with the highest levels of government but also reaches out to practitioners and those working directly with children through research, training and capacity building.

Mon 8th Dec 2008:

European Campaigner calls for more signatures

Appalled by the figures of children being trafficked across and through Europe, Local European campaigner, Catherine Bearder has called on people in Oxfordshire to sign up to the petition that calls the European Parliament to take action to stop this. The petition, at www.sayno.eu, is aiming to get 1 million signatures to alert the government here as well as the European Parliament to take action now. [the Declaration in Support of the Fight Against Child Sex Exploitation and Abuse]

Wed 17th Oct 2007:

Catherine Signs Petition against Human Trafficking

"I am pleased to be able to support the campaign against Human Trafficking and have signed the petition today," said Catherine. "This dreadful trade has to be stopped and the EU must act to do so. I am pleased that the ALDE group in the EP is taking action on this issue, as can be seen from their Press Release below.

Thu 4th Oct 2007:

Catherine Welcomes the Police crackdown on illegal trafficking

Catherine welcomes the new initiative codenamed 'Pentameter 2' yesterday as police crackdown on human trafficking across Britain and the Irish Republic.

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site