Ending Human trafficking by 2030: The Role of Global Partnerships in Eradicating Modern Slavery

1st Panel -Keynote

Archbishop Auza – Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN

H.E Lykketoft- President of the 70^th Session of the UN

Cardinal Nichols- Archbishop of Westminster, Santa Marta Group

Commissioner Hyland- UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner

Ms Sorvino- UNODC Good Will Ambassor for AHT

Letter from the Pope read

“As you reflect on the multifaceted issues which contribute to modern slavery and human trafficking, I encourage you to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and communication which are essential to ending the suffering of many men, women and children, who are today enslaved and sold as if they were a commodity. In this way, solutions and preventative measures can be promoted which will allow this evil to be addressed at every level of society. In your discussions, I hope also that you will keep before you the dignity of every person, and recognize in all your endeavours a true service to the poorest and most marginalized of society, who  too often are forgotten and have no voice. …I offer the promise of my prayers that the Almighty God may bless and guide your efforts.”

• Victims of 152 nationalities have been identified within 124 countries
• Santa Marta Group was set up to foster partnership between the Catholic Church and Law Enforcement Agencies
• International cooperation is needed at many levels based on shared vision and shared goals, including care for victims, prosecution of offenders and strengthening of the frameworks in which the work occurs
• UN systems need to tackle human trafficking and sexual exploitation holistically  It can work as seen by the work with HIV and vaccination
• Hotlines are the most frequent way of identifying victims.
• AHT efforts so far have made little impact (only 1% of victims are rescued). It deserves political will and prioritization of resources because it inhibits development by reducing tax income and preventing child development that enhances community development, affects more people than drugs or terrorism but also has a major role in funding both drugs and terrorism.
• Needs strategic coordination. Mapping of origin shows that persistent trafficking from Nigeria to Europe is localize to one area of Nigeria. 94%of internationally trafficked victim come from Ebu state that represents only 2% of the population. Therefore strategy to build capacity in affected community through community engagement, increase employment opportunities and build capacity for law enforcement.
• Legislation is helpful but laws need enforcing. 41% of countries with AHT legislation have prosecuted fewer than 10 offenders

Panel 2- The Scope of the Problem and the Opportunities it Presents

H.E. Yparraguire-Permanent Representative of Philippines to UN

Ms Hubbard- HT survivor, Airline Ambassador

Sr Poole, President of RENATE

Dr Cockayne – United Nations University

• 250 million migrants internationally = 1/3 of world population.
• Protection starts at home nation
• HT is South to North, East to West = Poor to Rich nations, driven by demand for cheap goods.
• Need to address demand, legal correction and IT specialists to combat internet trafficking
• Cost includes local wages kept low, reduced spending, reduced tax, increased health cost and decreased productivity of survivors, reduced educational level of community as result of exclusion from school of child victims, increased environmental damage. HT market externalizes costs to victims but also rest of society.
• Action of nations individually simply shifts market to a less regulated nation. Is Trade issue but not included in international trade discussions. Needs involvement of all States and UN agencies

Panel 3-What is being Done to Address the Problem in a Coordinated Way

Ms Monebasian- Director of UNODC (NY)

Ms Andees- Head of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the ILO

Mr El-Nour- Permanent Observer of the IOM to the UN

Ms Kennedt- Director of Freedom Fund USA

Ms Villa-CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation

• AHT under resourced area in UN, especially underserved is child trafficking for organs
• G8 called for AHT strategy in 2008 but minimal impact. Appraisal next year of Global Plan of Action is opportunity to upgrade response. Sec Gen is called to report to the Security Council
• >170 organisations are listed in the Global Slavery Directory, most NGOs but not coordinated
• Emphasis on HR violations.
• Call for increased channels of legal migration, illegal entry points increase HT
• Strong Laws have been effective with 30% reduction of child labour in past 15 years
• Invest in countries with high prevalence of HT, empower community activists driven by knowledge of what works.
• Training of journalists to cover under reported issues such as HT , climate change
• Tracking of credit card data by banks to identify patterns associated with HT in USA – has doubled referrals from banks for investigation

Panel 4- Insights from Member States

Ms Bradley. MP- Uk Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime

H.E  Kamau- Permanent Representative for Kenya to UN

H.E Flores- Permanent Representative of The Hondursa to UN

H.E Camacho- Permanent Representative of Mexico to UN

H.E Mendelson-US Representative to ECOSOC of UN

• UK
  •  Modern Slavery Act 2014 included civil orders , business regulations and appointment of Independent Commissioner for AHT
  • Piloting helpline with google UK Govt & Polaris
  • Strategy includes Prevention- partnering with ILO to stop recruitment for garment industry, help for responsible businesses to do more in regulation of supply lines, build strong partnerships to tackle HT
• Kenya
  • Major opposition to introduction of focus on HT to SDGs (Kenya partner in developing).
  • Suggests need fundamental attitude change in our societies to eliminate exploitation of one person by another
• Honduras
  • 17,000 people trafficked annually to USA, Europe & Japan
  • Formed tri nation partnership with Guatemala & El Salvador to combat HT
  • All push and pull factors related to economics, need to reclaim all profits from traffickers
• Mexico
  • Need not to rationalize crime but need to understand the causes, vulnerability, social prejudice, lack of opportunities, lack of effective legal system
  • 2015 passed strong law based on causes, aimed especially at protection of potential victims- indigenous women & children, unaccompanied migrant children, and closing the illicit business route between South and North
  • Addressing whole of SDGs needed to reduce inequalities and foster development. HT linked in with all goals
•  ECOSOC
  • Need network of networks
  • Target business to clean supply chains of slavery and exploitation – can act as individuals as well as in partnership

1. Globally the effort to prevent human trafficking is failing
2. There is a lack of international political will to address the issue
3. There is a need to address the demand side of HT which is driven by economic factors
4. HT externalizes all costs. Alongside the cost to the victims there is also a hidden cost for society economically.
5. Legislation and enforcement of that legislation is needed
6. Partnerships with governments, business and NGO/FBOs are needed
7. Partnerships need to work together with coordinated strategies