Santa Marta anti-trafficking summit – closing statement
Leaders from politics, policing, law enforcement and civic society came together yesterday at the Police Scotland and Santa Marta Group anti-trafficking summit at the Scottish Crime Campus, Gartcosh.
The event was co-hosted by Scotland’s Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and Papal lead for the Santa Marta Group.
Delegates included former Prime Ministers, the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown and the Rt. Ho
n. Theresa May, Scottish Justice Secretary Angela Constance, and Commissioner Drew Harris, An Garda Síochána, Police Service of the Republic of Ireland.
They discussed developing moral leadership and refocusing energy on combatting human trafficking as a serious organised crime.
Consensus was reached that there was a need to make a clear distinction between human trafficking and provisions around immigration. Protections for the victims of human trafficking are in danger of being lost with the current focus on immigration legislation. This needs to be addressed as an urgent priority.
There was a shared consensus to use the convening power of Santa Marta Group to maintain momentum. Commissioner Harris committed to hosting the next summit in the Republic of Ireland next year.
At yesterday’s summit, all delegates agreed to keep trafficking high up their organisations’ agendas and priorities.
Cardinal Nichols said: “This summit has brought into clear relief the need for the evil of trafficking to be seen for what it is. We all need to recognise our own complicity in the choices we make every day but most importantly it is about taking action. If people tell us about a concern or recognise the signs of trafficking, it is essential that this is taken seriously and dealt with quickly.”
Sir Iain said: “We are grateful to everyone who contributed their learning, their experience and their resolve in tackling this horrific criminal exploitation. I thank all delegates for their commitment as, collectively, we strive to combat human trafficking locally, nationally and across the world.”
