Parosha Chandran secures landmark victory in human trafficking case in the European Court of Human Rights

Congratulations to Parosha Chandran, Professor of Modern Slavery Law at King’s College London and Human Rights Barrister for her success in B.B. v. Slovakia, (Application no. 48587/21) at the European Court this week.

When will European law enforcement learn that human trafficking and modern slavery cases must be properly and professionally investigated and prosecuted?

We have learnt nothing since V.C.L. and A.N. v The United Kingdom (Applications nos. 77587/12 and 74603/12) .

VCL was a child of 15 when he was arrested in a cannabis farm in 2009. To anyone with an ounce of sense there were many indicators that he was trafficked for child criminal exploitation. Yet there was no police investigation, and the CPS prosecuted him leading to a term of imprisonment. The UK lost at the European Court, but it took until 2021 for the decision to be made. VCL was awarded compensation but far too late.

Recent cases such as T.V. v. SPAIN (Application no. 22512/21) and now BB v Slovakia show that this is a common issue across Europe.

In a study of 20 county lines cases where we have provided expert witness statement in the UK Courts there was 100% failure to investigate the victims of modern slavery cases despite a wealth of indicators being present.

Well done Parosha for continuing to fight for the rights of human trafficking victims here and abroad.

If you need any advice or training on modern slavery and human trafficking please contact us at SPC.