Sunil Sheth appointed as Chair of Anti-Slavery International

International lawyer Sunil Sheth has been appointed Chair of Anti-Slavery International, a UK charity, regarded as the oldest human rights organisation in the world. Modern slavery includes bonded labour, forced labour, descent-based slavery, human trafficking, child slavery, and forced/servile marriage. The organisation continues to have considerable impact overseas, as well as in the UK.

Anti-Slavery International estimates that there are still about 40 million people in modern slavery today. Its work is many-faceted: from advising business on reducing risks of forced labour entering supply chains, building coalitions to end slavery, pushing for legislative changes that protect vulnerable people and hold traffickers to account, to improving policy and practice to ensure all are protected through improvements in the root causes that lead to exploitation.

Appointed in August 2020, Sunil said “I am very pleased to be joining an organisation with such a long, illustrious history, and excited to be working with likeminded individuals and organisations to help end the horrors of modern slavery.

People become enslaved when three things are present: poverty, discrimination, and the weak rule of law. As you can imagine, the additional pressures on poor people is being sufficiently compounded by Covid 19 and lockdowns, and so it is important that we prevent any rise in slavery as a consequence.”

About Anti-Slavery International

Anti-Slavery International is an international non-governmental organisation, registered charity and advocacy group, based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1839, it is the world's oldest international human rights organisation. It works exclusively against slavery and related abuses.
It has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and observer status at the International Labour Organization. It is a non-religious, non-political independent organisation. Anti-Slavery International works closely with partner organisations from around the world to tackle all forms of slavery.

Patrons of Anti-Slavery International include HRH Princess Eugenie of York, co-founder of The Anti-Slavery Collective and Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of Condé Nast International, alongside Oscar winning director, Steve McQueen; Lady Shakira Caine; Dame Judi Dench CH DBE FRSA; Baron Dholakia OBE PC DL; Julie Etchingham; Baroness Helena Kennedy QC; Vanita Patel MBE; Hugh Quarshie; Lola Young, Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE and Benjamin Lawrance.

For further information visit https://www.antislavery.org/

About Sunil Sheth

Sunil Sheth is a Senior Partner at Fladgate LLP heading its India desk and, until recently, also heading its Private Wealth Group and Inclusivity, Diversity and Respect programme. Sunil has chaired the disability rights charity Sense International since 2011 and been a trustee since 2004. Sunil has been a trustee of One World Media Trust and a trustee of Victim Support, where he acted as Vice Chair from 2007-2010 and was also Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Sunil is also a trustee of The Hospice Biographers, a charity which offers terminally ill patients the chance to have their life stories professionally recorded on audio for their pleasure and relief and for their families to hear their voices and memories for generations to come. Sunil was also a Founder of the Society of Asian Lawyers, and was Chair of the organization for many years.