Five sisters from Mangalore Province attended three days 9th annual general body meeting of the Asian Movement of Women Religious against Human Trafficking (AMRAT) at Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru. There were more than 100 Catholic nuns all over from India and from Sri Lanka representing various Congregations attended this meeting. There was two days capacity building program organized along with the general body meeting that began on 10th and 11th November 2017.According to AMRAT human trafficking is lucrative trade in humans, mostly for sex, forced labor and for extraction of human organs or tissues.Founded in 2009, AMRAT covers India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Among AMRAT’s objectives is to identify the congregations, organizations and institutions to enlist new member to support each other in countering human trafficking of people, especially women and children.Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore in his keynote address said that human trafficking is major concern for the Church and the archdiocese will provide all support to the Sisters who are fighting it. He paid tributes to AMRAT which is networking among the congregations to bring human dignity to all.
Salesian Father Edward Thomas, director of Dream India, spoke on missing children and Luckose Vallathara, a retired Indian Administrative Service Officer spoke on child labour and child trafficking. The IJM (International Justice Mission) team from Bangalore gave the awareness on Bonded labour.
Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Sister Lissy Rose, who is the coordinator of AMRAT Karnataka unit, welcomed the participants and guests of the meeting.
Jesuit Father Stanislus D’Souza, provincial of the Jesuits in Karnataka, commended AMRAT for being a convergence of different women religious congregations in the region.SMI provincial Superior Gracy George stressed the importance of taking preventive measures, along with awareness building, to combat trafficking of women and children.A documentary on trafficking was screened on the first day. The meeting concluded on November 12 after addressing issues to human trafficking and presentation of reports by different regions in India and Sri Lanka. The participants also worked out a plan of action for the next year. Sr Arpan BS the President of AMRAT thanked the participants for their active presence, participation and collaboration. Sr Jyothi BS the founder president applauded the members for their zeal and commitment to fight against human trafficking and prayed God’s blessings on the participants.
Reported by
Sr Anna MAria BS
VAmanjoor