Human Trafficking from an International Protection Perspective: Probing the Meaning of Anti-Trafficking Measures for the Protection of Trafficking Victims, with Special Regard to the United Kingdom

The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT) entered into force in the U.K. on the 1 April 2009. This event led to the belief that Britain\u27s adherence will considerably improve the protection of trafficking victims in the country. In light of such expectations, this study examines which implications anti-trafficking measures may have on the legal protection of trafficking victims, while concentrating on new legal developments in the U.K. The paper analyses first the response of the anti-trafficking framework to international protection needs, and second, considers the scope of an alternative protection regime, namely, of international refugee law. It finally addresses the necessity to view the interaction between both regimes, and assesses how the implementation of the ECAT is likely to affect the right of victims to seek asylum