Melissa Pawson

Melissa Pawson is the editor for Beyond Trafficking and Slavery. She also works as a freelance journalist, covering migration, human rights and the climate crisis. Melissa holds an MA in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from the University of Utrecht.

Europe is paying Libya to torture migrants on its behalf

On a rescue ship in the Mediterranean, a survivor tells of their detainment in Libya, which the EU helped to support

By Melissa Pawson

/ 13 Dec 2025

Europe is paying Libya to torture migrants on its behalf

Farewell, from Beyond Trafficking and Slavery

After 11 years of publishing, the team at Beyond Trafficking and Slavery is moving on to new projects. Thank you for joining us!

By Cameron Thibos, Joel Quirk, Melissa Pawson and Ella Cockbain

/ 1 Dec 2025

Farewell, from Beyond Trafficking and Slavery

Solidarity beyond silos is our best bet for fighting exploitation

Far-right bullies are on the rise, and exploitation will likely rise with them. Cross-movement organising is the only way out

By Cameron Thibos, Joel Quirk, Melissa Pawson and Ella Cockbain

/ 10 Nov 2025

Solidarity beyond silos is our best bet for fighting exploitation

As Tunisia tries to force returns, Syrians set sights on Europe

Syrians living in “hellish” conditions say it’s not safe to return home yet – some hope to cross the Med instead

By Melissa Pawson, Leon Spring and Siraaj al Mughamir

/ 5 Jun 2025

As Tunisia tries to force returns, Syrians set sights on Europe

Syrian women and children return to rebuild, leaving husbands behind

In need of capital to rebuild, Syrian men are staying in neighbouring countries to work while their wives head home

By Melissa Pawson and Mahmoud Abo Rass

/ 8 May 2025

Syrian women and children return to rebuild, leaving husbands behind

I sought safety in the UK. I was sent to prison instead

I was labelled a ‘smuggler’ and spent over two years in prison for touching the tiller on a dinghy. That’s not justice

By Melissa Pawson and Samyar Bani

/ 11 Nov 2024

I sought safety in the UK. I was sent to prison instead

Caught in the net: how migration became a criminal offence

UK and EU governments are targeting people crossing borders in the name of ‘counter-smuggling’

By Melissa Pawson and Vicky Taylor

/ 28 Oct 2024

Caught in the net: how migration became a criminal offence

Experts demand safe routes to UK after 400 people die at the border

Revealed: Average of one death a month for past 25 years despite government spending £800m to stop Channel crossings

By Cameron Thibos and Melissa Pawson

/ 13 Feb 2024

Experts demand safe routes to UK after 400 people die at the border

‘We only ate rice for a week’: refugees struggle to survive in Jordan

An asylum ban, limited access to work permits and aid cuts have pushed refugees into poverty and exploitation

By Melissa Pawson

/ 11 Dec 2023

‘We only ate rice for a week’: refugees struggle to survive in Jordan

‘It was hell’: asylum seekers and NGOs allege abuse in Greek detention

Exclusive: Three reports provide new evidence of migrants and asylum seekers being systematically detained and abused

By Melissa Pawson

/ 23 Feb 2023

‘It was hell’: asylum seekers and NGOs allege abuse in Greek detention

Migrant rights advocates fear for safety ahead of Turkish elections

Organisations supporting migrants in Turkey say they face increasing hostility in the run up to 2023 elections

By Melissa Pawson

/ 6 Dec 2022

Migrant rights advocates fear for safety ahead of Turkish elections

Child workers in Jordan shoulder effects of rising poverty levels

High rates of poverty and unemployment make plans to eliminate child labour in Jordan a pipe dream

By Melissa Pawson

/ 28 Jun 2022

Child workers in Jordan shoulder effects of rising poverty levels