Jan 19, 2022 – Global law firm Hogan Lovells has secured a historic win for its client Pacific Links Foundation, who are representing a number of families of the “Essex 39”. In a landmark judgment handed down today, the Bruges Court of First Instance ruled that a damages award should be made in favour of a number of victims, who tragically died in a refrigerated lorry, having been trafficked to the UK via Belgium on 23 October 2019.
There is a clear legal, moral and ethical imperative that victims of human trafficking should be given access to compensation.
Speaking about the wider context of human trafficking in Vietnam, Co-Founder and President of Pacific Links Foundation, Diep Vuong noted, “Tragedies like this one are preventable only with the partnerships of governments, businesses, and community organisations. While our hearts continue to mourn the horrendous losses with the victims’ families, we will strengthen tools and resources for vulnerable migrant communities and reduce the expansion of trafficking and smuggling rings.”
