Visa-Free Entry for Ukrainian Refugees Cuts Risks of Human Trafficking, UN Study Finds
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released a study showing that European visa-free entry policies and targeted anti-trafficking measures have effectively lowered migrant smuggling and human trafficking risks for Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war. The study examined data between February 2022 and December 2024, incorporating surveys of more than 1,600 refugees and interviews with affected individuals. The findings highlight the importance of temporary protection arrangements that permit displaced Ukrainians to enter European countries without visas, providing safer legal pathways and reducing reliance on smugglers. This approach has diminished vulnerabilities typically exploited by traffickers during conflict-driven migrations.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 13:48
Melbourne couple charged with slavery for allegedly abusing and mistreating Indonesian woman
A Melbourne couple, Chee Kit Chong and his wife Angie Yeh Ling Liaw, are facing serious charges of slavery in a case that has shocked the local community. The allegations, heard in the Victorian County Court, detail how the couple allegedly kept an Indonesian woman in conditions that have been described as horrendous. The indictment claims the woman was physically abused, deprived of food, and made to sleep on the stairs or in the garage over a protracted period. The couple, both Malaysian nationals, have pleaded not guilty to the charges presented against them. The prosecution's case was outlined in... [Continue Reading]
Ethiopian man recounts kidnapping and torture while searching for nephew on eastern migration route to Saudi Arabia
An Ethiopian man, in his early thirties, has detailed his horrific experience of being kidnapped and tortured by traffickers while looking for his sixteen-year-old nephew on the perilous eastern migration route to Saudi Arabia. This dangerous path crosses several regions, including Ethiopia, Djibouti, the Gulf of Aden, and conflict-ridden Yemen, highlighting the ever-present risks associated with irregular migration in the area. Reports indicate that tens of thousands of Ethiopians attempt this journey annually in search of safety, employment, or a life away from adverse conditions prevalent in their homeland. The man, whose name was not disclosed, reported that traffickers exploited... [Continue Reading]
At least 22 migrants die in rubber boat incident off Greece during six-day journey from Libya
Tragedy struck off the coast of Greece as at least 22 migrants lost their lives in a rubber boat during a perilous journey that lasted six days at sea. The incident, which occurred en route from Tobruk, Libya, has drawn renewed attention to the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross into Europe, amidst tightening border controls and heightened risks associated with human smuggling. Authorities reported that survivors disclosed the grim circumstances surrounding the deaths, indicating that the bodies of those who perished were reportedly thrown overboard by the smugglers. This desperate act underscores the brutal reality of people smuggling... [Continue Reading]
Metropolitan Police investigate allegations against late Mohamed Al-Fayed, interviewing multiple individuals in connection with the case
London's Metropolitan Police have taken significant steps in an ongoing investigation into accusations against the late Mohamed Al-Fayed, former boss of Harrods. A man in his 60s was recently interviewed on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and human trafficking linked to Al-Fayed, who has been accused of multiple sexual assaults. The police confirmed that three women aged 40s, 50s, and 60s had also been interviewed regarding similar offences in relation to this case. The investigation into Al-Fayed's alleged crimes has reached a critical phase as authorities delve into the disturbing allegations surrounding his past. The police described the interviews... [Continue Reading]
UK government intensifies crackdown on Southeast Asian scam syndicate linked to cryptocurrency laundering of stolen data
The UK government has heightened its efforts to dismantle a sprawling criminal syndicate operating 'scam centres' in Southeast Asia. This crackdown involves imposing sanctions on a cryptocurrency system that is believed to facilitate the laundering of stolen personal data. These fraudulent operations employ elaborate schemes, including fake romantic relationships, to exploit victims around the world, particularly in the UK. The scam centres, operating in countries across Southeast Asia, reportedly utilize trafficked foreign nationals who are forcibly confined and compelled to engage in online fraud. Victims are often subjected to threats of torture, illustrating the severe human rights abuses associated with... [Continue Reading]
