In solidarity with our sisters and brothers at ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) in Australia working to end human trafficking and exploitation, we share news of their annual conference held this past week,

‘’Human Face, Human Impact, Human Stories’’ was the theme of the conference, with ACRATH members from across Australia gathering in a spirit of hope and enthusiasm, to review the work of the past year, plan for the future and acknowledge the progress made thus far.

To read more about the conference:

https://acrath.org.au/human-face-human-impact-human-stories/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Stop Trafficking, The February 2019 issue is available at the following link: http://www.stopenslavement.org/ To access and download, click on the ‘photo’ of the first page or click the ‘current issue’ link.

This edition extends the 3 Ps paradigm (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution) with a fourth dimension ‘’Partnerships.’’

The 8 pages are rich with ideas and information on all aspects and forms of partnerships, each of which strengthen and progress the work to combat human trafficking.

Ranging from ‘’Traits of anti-Trafficking Partnerships,’’ ‘’Regional Partnerships,’’ ‘’Public/Private Partnerships,’’ ‘’Faith-based Partnerships to Combat Human Trafficking,’’ ‘’Partnership through Talitha Kum,’’ through to partnership examples of best practice in legislation.

It is an inspiring read as we spring into the work of the year ahead!

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

As part of its ongoing commitment to Leadership development, the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) offer a four-day skills development programme in March, as follows:

Module 1: 11-12 March 2019, 14:00 – 15:30 ‘’Understadning and Managing Conflict.’’

Module 2: 13-14 March, 2019 – 14:00 – 17:30 ‘’Being Emotionally Intelligent Leaders.’’

Sessions are interactive, with opportunities to review case studies and address current realities participants experience.

To Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-tpo–DTOOw7Ndoir8ObLkTILVKHrVJ-5VpNi10zcwMhdiQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

The Santa Marta group met earlier this month in Buenos Aires as the Latin American Meeting on New Slavery and Human Trafficking with the slogan “Together Against Human Trafficking.” Representatives from across the region – the Catholic Church, other religious communities, civil society and law enforcement – gathered with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, England, President of the Santa Marta Group – the organisation instituted by Pope Francis in 2014 to fight human trafficking and modern slavery.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols called on all governments to act upon their commitments to assist victims of human trafficking at the conclusion of the Santa Marta Group conference for Latin America, held in Buenos Aires.

Over 100 countries signed the United Nations Palermo Protocol which calls on governments to catch and prosecute criminals and also to help trafficking victims with jobs, education and rehabilitation. Despite this commitment, Cardinal Nichols told delegates that this was not being carried out.

The Santa Marta Group Conference in Buenos Aires agreed to a series of measures in the ongoing fight against human trafficking. The conference was attended by Church representatives from across Latin America who work in the assistance of victims of human trafficking as well as the Argentinian federal police force, for whom this is a priority.

For more:
http://santamartagroup.com/cardinal-calls-on-governments-to-keep-their-promises-to-victims-of-human-trafficking/

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

Much food for thought as the Society of Jesus announce four new Universal Apostolic Preferences:

1. Promoting Discernment and the Spiritual Exercises – Accompany people as they discern complex choices. Read more: https://jesuits.global/en/uap/discernment-and-the-spiritual-exercises
2. Walking with the Excluded- Walking alongside the poor, the vulnerable, the excluded and those whom society consider worthless, in a mission of reconciliation and justice. Read more https://jesuits.global/en/uap/walking-with-the-excluded
3. Caring for our Common Home – Work with Gospel depth for the protection and renewal of God’s creation. Read more https://jesuits.global/en/uap/caring-for-our-common-home
4. Journeying with Youth – Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future. Read more https://jesuits.global/en/uap/journeying-with-youth

 Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

This event will celebrate the massive explosion of this dynamic mission across the world of Religious Sisters working within hundreds of networks Against Human Trafficking.  The event will be in September and we hope you will all follow us closely on live streaming.  The picture is the group at the end of the action.

From the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), which monitors the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in countries that have ratified the Convention.

“A delegation from GRETA travelled to Paris on 11 and 12 February 2019 for high-level meetings with the French authorities. These exchanges are part of the monitoring of the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and aim to better understand the progress made following the GRETA report and in response to Recommendation CP (2017) 28 of the Committee of the Parties. In particular, the interviews will be an opportunity to raise some of the concerns that may have been caused by the delays in the development of the new National Action Plan, the concerns that the fight against trafficking in human beings does not appear as having the priority required to ensure its effectiveness, as well as the effects on victims of trafficking of the new asylum and immigration law.

Having taken cognizance of several communiqués and statements of associations in this direction, GRETA wishes to benefit from the perspective of civil society on these various points and invites you to a meeting on February 12 from 15:00 to 17:30 at the offices of the Council of Europe. At 55 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris. The meeting is held in French.

The GRETA delegation is composed of:

• Frédéric Kurtz, GRETA’s first interim vice-president;
• Dorothea Winkler, member of GRETA;
• Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
• Evgenia Giakoumopoulou, Administrator at the Secretariat of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.”

With members of the Collective against Trafficking, and Representatives of a Trade Union (CGT), we present to the GRETA Members our action against THB in France, and our fears because it seems that nothing is done in our country against THB… except the work of Associations!

We focused on three main points:

1. The delay to launch the National Plan of Action (last one ended in 2016). Lack of meetings with us (Collective and Unions), lack of statistics. All THB must be mentioned, not only sexual exploitation.
2. Asylum and migration law and its consequences on THB. Complexity is increasing, centers and shelters are too few, and people are highly at risk of THB.
3. Minors: Identify them is a problem, then protection (Art 26 of the Convention of the Council of Europe) and appropriate shelters.

GRETA delegates listened very carefully to what has been said. They ask for examples of some difficulty (with police, justice…) to be sent to them to underpin their report/ Press release.