Scottish Government must take account of trafficking threat to Ukraine refugees

CARE for Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to be aware of the threat posed to Ukrainian refugees by traffickers and set out a strategy to guard against exploitation.

Ukrainian refugees are being encouraged to come to the UK under a new Homes for Ukraine scheme, announced by the UK Government earlier this month.

The Scottish Government has committed to being a ‘super sponsor’, meaning refugees applying to come to Scotland won’t need to name an individual sponsor. More than 1,000 have applied so far.

CARE for Scotland (CfS) says the scheme is laudable but warns of the potential for it to be abused by criminals. In a letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the charity has outlined specific concerns and called for action to curb “malign” activity.

Social media dangers

CfS urges the Scottish Government to discourage Ukrainians from seeking help on social media. According to the charity, “unregulated groups and accounts are springing up on platforms such as Facebook” and “Human traffickers can masquerade on sites as genuine individuals wanting to help when they intend to ‘shop’ for new victims to exploit.”

The charity states: “Both the Scottish Government and the UK Government can use official channels to urge refugees not to interact with groups and private individuals on social media. Instead, they should be advised to seek help through official websites or reputable NGOs, officials and charities operating on the ground in Europe”.

Welfare checks required

CfS also urges extensive “follow-up checks” to ensure refugees are safe and prevent them falling off the radar if they move elsewhere”. And it stresses the importance of those carrying out checks being “trained to spot the signs of exploitation, which aren’t always obvious”.

The letter concludes: “We urge you to set out a strategy for guarding against exploitation of refugees in the short term and the longer term as they find a home in Scotland.”

The full text of the letter, dated 24 March 2022, is included below.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

CARE for Scotland is a charity providing expert policy analysis from a Christian perspective. For more information or to request an interview, contact Jamie Gillies | jamie.gillies@care.org.uk

CARE letter to Nicola Sturgeon

Dear First Minister,

The UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme has been widely welcomed. It is heartening to see the generous response from people across Scotland, keen to open their homes to refugees. The Scottish Government’s commitment to being a ‘super sponsor’ for refugees, helping provide accommodation and other forms of support, is also welcome.

Unfortunately, there are some concerns associated with this scheme. CARE and other organisations working to curb trafficking and modern slavery fear it could be abused by those with malign intentions. Criminals will be viewing the influx of Ukrainian refugees as an opportunity to turn a profit. We believe both governments must act to prevent this.

We are urging the UK Government to ensure appropriate checks and safeguards are applied in the vetting process for hosts. We have also expressed concern that the system allows refugees to be identified for sponsorship through social media. Already, unregulated groups and accounts are springing up on platforms such as Facebook. Human traffickers can masquerade on sites as genuine individuals wanting to help when they intend to ‘shop’ for new victims to exploit.

Both the Scottish Government and the UK Government can use official channels to urge refugees not to interact with groups and private individuals on social media. Instead, they should be advised to seek help through official websites or reputable NGOs, and officials and charities operating on the ground in Europe. We urge you to take this action.

CARE is also recommending follow-up checks to ensure refugees staying with hosts are kept safe and to prevent vulnerable individuals falling off the radar if they move elsewhere. Their welfare must be ensured six months, one year, and three years down the line. Those carrying out checks must be trained to spot the signs of exploitation, which aren’t always obvious.

We urge you to set out a strategy for guarding against exploitation of refugees in the short term and the longer term as they find a home in Scotland. Thank you for all your work on this so far and we look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Michael Veitch

Parliamentary Officer | CARE for Scotland