Women Religious Seek MPs Support

Women Religious Seek MPs Support in Fight Against Trafficking of Humans
Published: September 07, 2008
What do Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Women, Australian women religious and women trafficked in Cebu in the Philippines have in common? They all share a concern for the human rights of people who are trafficked and a commitment to make a difference.
Women religious, members of a major Australian anti-trafficking lobby group (ACRATH), will be in Canberra from September 15-19 visiting MPs and social justice advocates to tackle human trafficking issues in Australia.

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) represents 180 religious orders in Australia working to eliminate human trafficking in Australia, the Asia Pacific and internationally.

The two main aims of the week-long Canberra trip are to lobby for changes to the visa regulations applied to people who are trafficked and to ensure adequate services are provided once a person has been recognised as trafficked.

The Chair of ACRATH, Sr Pauline Coll sgs, said the Rudd Government should be applauded for its willingness to work with civil society on this issue. However, she said much more needed to be done to ensure that people trafficked into Australia were treated justly.

ACRATH members will lobby Government on several issues, including:

* Allocation of visas to people trafficked into Australia on the basis of their human rights and not on the basis of their willingness to assist with prosecutions.
* An amnesty for people trafficked into Australia who are now living here illegally.
* Assurances that the Federal Government tender for services for people who have been trafficked is administered to offer a holistic approach to each person's needs.
* A comprehensive community education strategy.
* Utilisation of the sisters' international networks, where appropriate, for prevention repatriation strategies.

ACRATH members will meet with more than 40 MPs, including Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Status of Women; Bob Debus, Minister for Home Affairs. They will also meet with representatives from various government departments.

ACRATH is one of a growing number of coalitions in Australia, including Melbourne-based Project Respect and the Sydney based Anti-Slavery Project, which is working for a greater community awareness of human trafficking. Many people associate trafficking with Asia. However, there is a growing awareness of trafficking into Australia.

Sr Pauline referred to the recent High Court decision which has provided a definition of slavery in the 21st century; it also recognised that what has happened to the women in the case being considered was a crime against humanity. Sr Pauline also referred to recent Australian media reports of trafficking and labour exploitation, and the trafficking of children for adoption.

Sr Pauline has recently returned to Australia from Congress 2008 in Rome. The international congress involved religious congregations from 30 countries including Australia. The participants agreed to maximise efforts and mobilise resources on the issue of human trafficking; they resolved to educate, prevent, protect and assist, and to have a greater social and political impact.

"This congress really made a commitment, and strengthened the determination of women in religious orders around the world, to work together to prevent the trafficking of humans," Sr Pauline said.

"We have come to Canberra as part of this strengthened commitment and we will keep coming and talking to those with influence until a more just system is in place and until this issue is a priority for policy makers."
If you would more information about ACRATH's work, trafficking in Australia or the visit to Canberra, please contact the following people:

Sr Pauline Coll sgs 0417 498 880

Sr Stancea Vichie mss 0438 116 689

or visit link for Radio Broadcast http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/programguide/stories/200809/s2365630.htm