MISSION LETTER FOR THE AMBASSADOR 
OF THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA
 TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Rome, 20 July 2017

The double nature of the Sovereign Order of Malta as a religious lay-order and a sovereign subject of international law is at the basis of its diplomatic activity, focused on promotion of ethical and spiritual values, and charitable works in the medical, sanitary and humanitarian fields, and emergency situations.

The recognition of its status as a subject of international law by more than 100 States allow it to pursue its mission under favorable conditions, both within the framework of its bilateralrelations as vis-à-vis international institutions.

In nearly a thousand years of dedicated service in favor of all those in need, regardless of race or religion, the Order of Malta has earned international, outstanding respect and esteem. At present it operates through 11 Priories, 48 national Associations, 133 diplomatic missions, 1 worldwide relief agency (« Malteser International ») and 33 national relief corps, as well as numerous hospitals, medical centers and specialist foundations in about 120 countries.

The Order continues to promote human dignity and to use its international status and diplomatic network to provide support in implementing humanitarian aid and to promote a sense of solidarity between nations, dialogue and mutual understanding among parties, and therefore a world of peace.

Human Trafficking

• More slaves today than ever in history
• Invisible (or unseen, intentionally or not)
• Everywhere in many forms:
  • Slave labor (Agriculture, Building, Domestic, Fisheries)
  • Sexual slavery, forced marriages, forced motherhood
  • Child labor, child soldiers, sale of children, child pornography
  • Forced organ transplants
  • Forced criminality

Role and Responsibilities

The appointment as Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to monitor and combat trafficking in persons represents an important and challenging commitment and entails the following aspects.

The main tasks are:

• to submit ideas and proposals to contribute to the strategy of the Grand Magistry to combat trafficking in persons;
• to establish and enhance official contacts and fruitful cooperation with authorities and experts of countries, governments, religious authorities, international organizations, NGOs, research, academic and religious institutions who are in charge of and/or have experience and expertise in human trafficking;
• to periodically report to the Grand Magistry about these themes;
• to attend, on behalf of and in agreement with the Grand Magistry, the bilateral meetings and international events on these themes.

For the accomplishment of his mandate the Ambassador will establish a friendly, fruitful and synergetic cooperation with the diplomatic Missions of the Order as well as with other Ambassadors of the Order.

Statistics

Modern slavery is all around us, but most people don’t even realize it.

• There are more people in slavery today than at any other time in history: there are over 40 million children (estimations up to 100 million), women and men living in modern slavery, three out of every 1,000 people worldwide. if they all lived together in a single city, it would be one of the biggest cities in the world.
• Human trafficking is the second-largest organized crime in the world. — U.S. State Department
• 2 – 4 million young women and children will be sold into prostitution within the next 12 months. — Somaly Mam Foundation
• Many of these children are sold into sexual slavery for as little as $10 and some are as young as 5 years old. — Anderson Cooper 360