Cambridge Centre for Applied Research in Human Trafficking- Symposium July 2020.

RENATE President, Imelda Poole, IBVM, reports on the success of this year’s Symposium, which took place 29 June – 3 July 2020, via virtual platforms due to COVID-19.

Rev Dr Carrie  Pemberton Ford, Director,  Cambridge Centre for Applied Research in Human Trafficking (CCARHT), delivers a Symposium on Human Trafficking and Exploitation, where keynote speakers and researchers share their wisdom and experience with the symposium delegates, in order to encourage active participation and action to combat the crime of human trafficking and exploitation.

The five days of reflective practice and knowledge sharing, saw fulsome engagement on the part of both the speakers and participants as they covered the areas of  Human Trafficking and Climate; Education & Gender Equality; Children and Cyber; Decent Work and Partnerships and the SDG’s.

The major environmental challenges of our times informed dialogue on the impacts of same on populations worldwide, with specific reference to ability to sustain life, necessity to leave ones county for work and associated vulnerabilities relating to travel, money, language capacity and skills set.

The impact of global terrorism, displacement and also the inability to move around freely was of particular concern at the Symposium.

The impact of unplanned urban growth in developing countries gave rise to identification of critical concerns for both the immediate and long-term futures of societies in such areas.

Of particular focus during the Symposium was the ever increasing extent and complexity of human trafficking, involving highly organised criminalised human trafficking gangs. European trafficking gangs appear to have now taken over the rings in Africa, where JUJU is still used to force women to be bonded by ritualised actions and if they short fall, the victims are trapped into actual enforced slavery.

In the increasing use of technology, especially during current time of COVID-19, Kevin Hyland, emphasised the importance of ensuring children are advised and protected as an essential step in human trafficking prevention.  He called for new laws to control the internet highways, which is going to be challenging for internet companies as well as regulators.

For reports on the Symposium: www.ccarht.org

Church acts on modern-day slavery during lockdown.

In this week’s edition of The Tablet, Ellen Teague writes an informative and affirming feature on the anti-human trafficking work of faith-based organisations, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Medaille Trust, founded by religious in 2006, provides support and shelter to human trafficking victims of all faiths and none, by means of a network of nine safe houses across the UK.

The feature includes reference to RENATE President Imelda Poole’s input at the webinar organised by the UK and US Ambassadors to the Holy See, Women Religious on the Frontlines, where Imelda spoke about seeing the occurrence of three shifts in Europe since COVID-19 restrictions have been implemented:

1. Increase in hunger.
2. Increased provision of counselling via online platforms.
3. Increased numbers of children surfing the web, unsupervised, with an emergent increase in sexual exploitation of that demographic.

The full article: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/13133/church-acts-on-modern-day-slavery-during-lockdown

Tune in to Newstalk 106 – 108FM www.newstalk.com this Sunday 5th July at 07:00 (UK time) and again on Saturday 11th July at 21:00 (UK time) to hear the documentary, Do Disturb, which looks at the global issue of Human Trafficking, also known as modern day slavery.

Patricia Baker, of Curious Broadcast (www.curiousbroadcast.com ) who recorded the broadcast, shares that

‘’Halfway through making this documentary our worlds changed dramatically with the impact of COVID-19.  As I continued to make the documentary, I became increasingly aware of how the world of those trafficked, the people existing as modern day slaves, was now sinking further into the darkness. 

When I first heard the statistics – over 40 million adults and children are currently enslaved worldwide –  I could not comprehend it. I felt shame when I realised that Ireland was far from immune from this global catastrophe. Do Disturb looks at the importance of increasing public awareness and understanding of Human Trafficking, and hears from an Irish charity MECPATHS ( Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector) that are working alongside the hospitality sector to bring awareness to this issue.

MECPATHS Ireland was co-founded by RENATE member, Mary Ryan, RSM and employs RENATE members JP O Sullivan & Ms. Ann Mara.

A link to the podcast will be available after the broadcast.   

The documentary maker can be contacted at patricia@curiousbroadcast.com

Haven of Light June 2020 Modern Slavery _ Human Trafficking Update June 2020.

The demand for human organs for transplantation continues to grow each year, leading to an increase in the number of people trafficked for organ removal.

Since the first successful organ transplants in the 1950s, organ transplantation has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.

Nowadays, it is estimated that 10% of all organs transplanted globally are commercial transplantations, that is to say, money is exchanged for the organ. Trafficking for the removal of human organs holds a critical place with transnational organised crime groups due to high demand and relatively low rates of law enforcement.

Perhaps too close to those of you who have known instances of organ trafficking, below is the link to the July edition  of the STOP Trafficking Newsletter, which focuses entirely on this significant form of Human Trafficking and Exploitation.

https://files.constantcontact.com/c719bcdc001/3c4fc94d-0be1-4c65-9476-4f5b63b66c38.pdf

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and Advisor Ivanka Trump released the 20th Annual Trafficking in Persons Report , in the historic Treaty Room at the US Department of State.

Secretary Pompeo referred to the human story of a child named Ted, who was sexually exploited for years by his step-father, to illustrate that human trafficking – and that includes forced labour and sex trafficking – happens all around us.

With 25 million adults and children suffering from labour and sex trafficking worldwide, Secretary Pompeo encouraged governments worldwide to take bold action to collaborate and work to end this crime against humanity, stating ‘’That desecration of the inherent value and immeasurable worth of human beings, each of us created in the image of God, makes human trafficking a truly wicked act.’’

This year is a milestone in that it marks the end of two decades of reinforcing the work to combat Human Trafficking. In the report, we read that 22 countries were upgraded this year, 13 of them from Sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia received a Tier 1 rating – the best possible. It is the first and only African country to do so since 2012.  Singapore is the report’s other newly ranked Tier 1 country. Bolivia was singled out for their progress to increase convictions and identify victims, among other significant improvements.

Unfortunately, the report also calls out a group of nations whose state-sponsored pattern of forced labour have designated them in the Tier 3 category. Among them are China, where the Chinese Communist Party and its state-owned enterprises often force citizens to work in horrendous conditions on Belt and Road projects.

Then there’s Cuba. Up to 50,000 Cuban doctors have been forced by the Castro regime into human trafficking situations in more than 60 countries around the globe. They are the regime’s number one source of income. And in Central Asia, some governments have a long-standing history of compelling people to work in the cotton industry and other sectors.

The launch ended with the statement of commitment of the United States to ‘’…free all those who are still enslaved, help restore the lives of those who have been freed and punish their tormentors.’’

Survivor leadership in the anti-trafficking movement is a priority of the United States Government. Of the 10 TIP Heroes recognised at this year’s launch, Ms Sophie Otiende has been awarded the 2020 TIP Hero award, specifically for her survivor leadership capacities. In  this regard, Ms. Otiende exemplified her leadership role in the development of victim assistance infrastructure, resources, and practices in Kenya to ensure human trafficking survivors receive the best possible care and her unwavering efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking in local communities.

Full Report at: https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2020-TIP-Report-Complete-062420-FINAL.pdf

On 25 June 2020, the  launched an online training course on Countering Human Trafficking in Humanitarian Settings. The course, which has been developed by IOM experts in partnership with the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons is designed for external audiences who may be familiar with humanitarian responses but are less familiar with anti-trafficking interventions in emergency contexts.  

The 11-module training is free of charge and provides a good foundation to show how human trafficking poses a very real risk to people affected by conflict, instability, natural disaster, and displacement.  

The course is available in English , French , Spanish , Arabic on IOM’s E-Campus website, and will also be housed within SDL for IOM staff.  

Watch Video 

For more information, please contact Safa Msehli at IOM Geneva: Tel: +41794035526, Email: smsehli@iom.int. 

Further details at: https://www.iom.int/news/iom-launches-online-course-counter-trafficking-humanitarian-settings#.XvUNb9oGI0l.mailto

Webinar on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children 29-30 June 2020.

Participation at the webinar is free of charge, but registration is required.

The registration deadline is 19 June 2020.

To register, please use the following link:

https://bit.ly/36zNS0q

• Please be advised that the language of the Webinar will be English.