Good afternoon everybody.

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Denis Bishop
5 years ago
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1 Good afternoon everybody. During this short presentation I d like to update you on the work that IATA is doing to mobilize the global airline industry in the fight against human trafficking. I want to cover three elements: 1. Provide some details about the extent of this crime and highlight some of the reasons that airlines have a natural interest in helping governments and law enforcement to tackle it. 2. To describe the elements of IATA s EyesOpencampaign which focuses on raising awareness of human trafficking and practical materials that give all airlines, irrespective of their size, resources or the jurisdiction that they are based the ability to get involved in anti-human trafficking initiatives. 3. To highlight IATA s approach to working with governments and law enforcement. 1

2 According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) around 60% of trafficking involves crossing an international border. No one has exact figures on the extent of this crime, but the most recent statistics from International LabourOrganization (ILO) estimate that almost 25 million people are the victims of modern slavery. That s equivalent to the population of Australia. The US State Department has indicated that it s the fastest growing criminal activity. Its second only to drugs in terms of profitability. And while good work has been done by states to criminalize this activity, obtaining prosecutions remain challenging. 2

3 So the question is what has human trafficking got to do with the aviation industry? Well, you heard from Alexandre de Juniac this morning that aviation is the business of freedom connecting 4 billion passengers and facilitating over 35% of global trade (by value) safely, quickly and efficiently. Of course this same speed and efficiency, which delivers so many social and economic benefits, can also be misused by traffickers. In recent years, governments and law enforcement authorities around the world have recognized that staff throughout the transport sector (including airlines) can be in prolonged contact with passengers so if they are trained to identify the signs of potential human trafficking situations and how to report it through their company procedures, they could be an additional set of eyes and ears providing intelligence about suspected cases to law enforcement that may help prevent human trafficking. Many individual airlines are already involved and have launched anti-human trafficking initiatives often as part of corporate social responsibility or sustainability. But until recently there has been no industry-wide initiative. IATA has worked over last 12 months to put in place a plan and campaign to mobilize its membership. 3

4 So why do airlines have an interest in this issue? Well, first off we have a moral obligation to help. This needs no further explanation. Then there s growing evidence of a link between human trafficking and funding of terrorist organizations. In a 2016 report by the Henry Jackson foundation ISIL/Daeshreceived between UD$10-30million from human trafficking. This money is used to fund terrorism that s often directed at international civil aviation and tourism. Airlines have a natural interest in breaking this funding link. Then there s the fact that airlines are facing more laws and regulation that require them to act in response to human trafficking. We have general laws like the UK Modern Slavery Act Australia is expected to introduce similar legislation in In the US we have specific regulation that mandates airlines to provide training to cabin crew. Whether its complying with annual statements relating to transparency in supply chains or the requirements on airlines set by national regulators, those airlines that are already training staff on human trafficking awareness or are planning to are well positioned. And then there are reputational aspects consumers want the companies they purchase from and investors are requiring the companies they invest in to be good corporate citizens that do the right thing. Anti-human trafficking initiatives are good business practice. 4

5 IATA s position is that while the provision of awareness training for staff on how to spot the signs of suspected trafficking is very important, its not enough. We believe that a holistic or comprehensive strategy is required and that s what we have set out in our EyesOpen campaign. So what are the substantive elements of the EyesOpen campaign? Firstly we need to raise awareness. The first priority is to increase awareness and understanding of how traffickers misuse aviation at executive management level. We need airlines to understand what to do in terms of developing policies and procedures. We need to provide them with practical tools such as training. We also need to work with law enforcement in each country to understand reporting procedures. Where and how should reports of suspected trafficking incidents be made, especially where these are on inbound flights? And, there is a need for an industry not just airline approach if we are truly going to be effective. 5

6 A key element of EyesOpenis awareness raising activities. For example, we have produced an animated film that aims to highlight to airline management the ways in which traffickers can abuse airline services. The film is available in English and Spanish and other languages will follow. We have also got a lot of print-ready materials that airlines and other groups can use to raise awareness in their own organizations and with their passengers. We are active in media and social media and we are participating in a number of events. One major event was co-hosted by IATA in Cardiff, UK in April, bringing together government, law enforcement, NGOs, airlines and other aviation staff to discuss and agree actions on how the industry, currently the fourth (4 th ) largest international aviation market, should respond to human trafficking. 6

7 Once airlines are aware of the extent of the issue of human trafficking, they need to have practical tools to support their activities. IATA has just produced comprehensive guidance for airlines which is available to download from our website at Developed with expert input from law enforcement, airlines and non-governmental organizations, the guidance sets out a road map for airlines in term of policy development, communications and specific actions that airlines should take. It s focused on all aspects of the airline activity rather than simply awareness training cabin crew. We will also launch e-learning modules that airlines can implement in to their security and other training quickly and easily. More comprehensive e-learning and classroom courses are available. 7

8 Once trained to spot the signs of potential trafficking, to be effective and to encourage the reporting of suspicions of trafficking, airline staff need to understand how they should report and to whom. We are reaching out to law enforcement community in multiple countries to understand the reporting protocols. An example is the UK where we have worked with the UK Modern Slavery Training Delivery Group, UK Border Force and the UK Modern Slavery Helpline to determine the reporting protocol for inbound flights in to the UK. The protocol is clear but we have identified that is not quite so simple as the Captain picking up a phone in the aircraft cockpit and reporting it to law enforcement via their operational control, security department or others. Pilots have given us valuable feedback that some smaller regional aircraft are not equipped with satellite phones. So if they want to report a situation inflight they must use VHF radio to contact their station manager, handling agent or air traffic control to request assistance. But will these stakeholders air traffic controllers know about human trafficking and how to contact the relevant law enforcement agency? 8

9 Yesterday, IATA s Board of Governors agreed to put forward a draft resolution to the annual general meeting on Tuesday. If endorsed by IATA s members, this resolution sets out the industry response to helping governments to tackle human trafficking. The resolution sets out four key actions: 1) It denounces the crime of human trafficking 2) It calls on airlines to undertake training for key staff on human trafficking awareness and reporting 3) Calls on governments to put in place reporting protocols 4) Calls on IATA to work with the wider industry to help raise awareness and deal with this crime. 9

10 We understand airline staff can play a part in terms of providing tip-offs about suspected trafficking situations. But we are equally clear that is the extent of what we can do. Its down to law enforcement in each country to determine if and how to follow-up on the reports filed. You have seen that through our campaign, we are providing airlines with the tools to enable them to join the fight to prevent trafficking. IATA is committed to working with governments, their law enforcement agencies, ICAO, NGOs and other stakeholders to do whatever we can to try and prevent the crime of human trafficking. 10

11 More information including our awareness film and guidance materials can be found at 11

12 Thank you and I d be happy to answer any questions 12

In the minute that it s taken to watch that video clip, 50 people around the world will have become victims of human trafficking.

1 2 In the minute that it s taken to watch that video clip, 50 people around the world will have become victims of human trafficking. Put another way in the last 60 seconds roughly half the number of the