The Human Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has recommended that Australia improve its counter-trafficking strategy in order to effectively prohibit slavery in our country.
 
The Committee recommended that Australia "strengthen its measures to prevent and eradicate trafficking in human beings, including by adopting a comprehensive strategy, and provide equal assistance and protection to all victims identified regardless of their participation or otherwise in criminal proceedings against perpetrators," (paragraph 22) on the 2nd April 2009. 
 
This is the third United Nations committee which monitors a human rights treaty to make this recommendation. The Committee on the Eliminatation of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women made a similar recommendation in 2006, and the Committee against Torture in 2008. This follows consistent advocacy from Project Respect to provide visas and support to all victims of trafficking. (See submissions: 2003a, 2003b, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
 
Trafficking in persons has been identified as a grave human rights violation, violating the prohibitions on slavery, torture and discrimination against women. It is long overdue for the Australian Government to implement its obligations under international law and ensure that all victims of trafficking can access recovery services while in Australia.
 
The Human Rights Committee's Concluding Observations can be seen here: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/hrcs95.htm
 
The Commitee against Torture's Concluding Observations can be seen here: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/cats40.htm
 
Committee on the Eliminatation of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women concluding Comments can be viewed here: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/34sess.htm