Border Force agents to team up with Arab airlines to help fight Theresa May’s battle against human trafficking
The PM used her trip to the Gulf to hammer out a deal that will see six new countries agree to do more to tackle online child exploitation
BRITISH Border Force agents are to team up with Arab airlines to help fight Theresa May’s pioneering battle against modern slavery.
The PM used her trip to the Gulf to hammer out a deal that will see six new countries agree to do more to tackle online child exploitation and British experts train the crew of local airlines to spot signs of the “international scourge” of human trafficking.
Departing from her two day visit to the region, the PM said: “The UK is already taking action at home to stamp out modern day slavery but we will only eradicate this problem if we work with other countries around the world.
"This agreement from the Gulf states is an encouraging step forward.
She added: "This heinous crime is a global problem which cannot be resolved by countries working in isolation – we have to work together to protect children.”
Following her speech to the Gulf Cooperation Council Mrs May also announced that all six member countries have promised to sign up to the WePROTECT Global Alliance - a group of coalition of countries fighting to end the online sexual exploitation of children.
No10 said on Wednesday that the UK Border Force will begin Gulf-based airlines to raise awareness of modern slavery and train staff to work with border officials or the police to stop the illegal trade in humans.
Despite the announcement Mrs May came under fire last night from human groups due to her visit to Bahrain.
Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Director of Advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said: "Theresa May talks about being the "partner of choice" for reform in the Gulf, but we've already seen what that means in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia where the UK has been involved for years.
"British engagement has meant managing repression instead of ending it, shielding the country from UN probes into its violations, and being silent on the cases of rights campaigners."
He went on: "The British government has for years helped sustain repression and impunity in the Gulf under the guise of its partnerships with them, and that looks set to continue under Theresa May's new vision."