justice United Kingdom
UK bill draws warnings over trafficking-victim credibility tests
The UK’s anti-slavery commissioner and survivors warned that credibility tests in the immigration and asylum bill could cause trafficking victims, including women who accuse Mohamed Al Fayed, to be denied recognition and support.
1 sourceThe GuardianUpdated
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AllegedEleanor Lyons said the bill’s credibility tests could lead to more trafficking victims being denied support.
“could lead to many more victims of slavery and trafficking, including those allegedly abused by Mohamed Al Fayed, being denied support”
The bill requires Home Office officials to treat delays in making modern slavery or trafficking claims as damaging to credibility.
“Home Office officials must regard any delay to making a claim of modern day slavery or human trafficking as damaging to their credibility”
The bill requires officials to view inaccuracies, inconsistencies or omissions in an account as reasons for disbelief.
“Any inaccuracy, inconsistency or omission in a person’s account ... must also be viewed as reasons for disbelief.”