Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Santa Marta anti-trafficking group, said: "We estimate there are 42 million victims worldwide." The Santa Marta Group is formed of both religious and non-religious figures, bringing together international police chiefs and church leaders in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. "What struck me particularly was the extent of modern day slavery on the seas," Nichols said. Pope Francis, who has made the fight against human trafficking one the priorities of his papacy, held an audience with conference participants on Friday morning. The International Labour Organisation estimated that in 2016 over 40 million people were victims of modern slavery globally.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 09, 2018 18:56 UTC