The Human Trafficking Foundation’s Anti-Slavery Day Awards

Nusrat Uddin solicitor in our Public Law Team, was shortlisted for the Human Trafficking Foundation’s Anti-Slavery Day Awards held in Parliament last night. Nusrat was a finalist for Outstanding Contribution to the Fight Against Slavery - Enabling and Supporting Survivors’ Rights And Entitlements. See the full list of finalists here.The shortlisting was recognition of Nusrat’s focus on improving state systems of support and redress for victims of trafficking and modern slavery. Last year she challenged Home Office cuts to subsistence monies for victims, resulting in support being fully reinstated and rebates being paid.  She was also awarded a Research Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and presented her findings from the US and Europe, making recommendations for longer term support in the UK. This year Nusrat gave oral evidence in Parliament to the Home Affairs Select Committee for their Inquiry into Modern Slavery, outlining issues in relation to support services, immigration and the criminal justice system. Nusrat was also instructed in a ground-breaking case earlier this year at the Employment Tribunal where it was held for the first time that diplomatic immunity does not protect a current diplomat from claims of human trafficking and modern slavery.The event last night was hosted by John Bercow at Speaker’s House, who opened the event and introduced Anthony Steen CBE, the Chair of the Human Trafficking Foundation and former Conservative MP. Theresa May MP was then presented with an award in recognition of her work fighting modern slavery. However many in the crowd felt that her hostile environment policies were cause for concern, rather than accolade, as the policies exacerbate the vulnerabilities of victims and furthermore her Modern Slavery Act did little to improve support for victims. Mrs May told those attending the event, which included members of our Public Law Team, to continue to fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. Indeed here at Wilson Solicitors we continue to battle against the hostile environment for our clients and challenge the government’s unlawful policies and practices in order to improve the situation for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, as well as many other human rights abuses, case by case. If you require advice or representation in connection with such public law matters please contact Penny Visram on 0208 885 7924 or p.visram@wilsonllp.co.uk