The Salvation Army joins global call to strengthen protection for victims of trafficking
The Salvation Army has joined the World Evangelical Alliance in calling for stronger action to ensure that people experiencing human trafficking are identified and able to access protection, support and justice
The Salvation Army has co-signed an oral statement on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons. The statement was presented on 11 September 2026 to the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, during an interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur.
Delivered by Dr Janet Epp Buckingham, Director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Geneva Office, the statement focused on one of the continuing challenges in tackling human trafficking: identifying those who are being exploited.
It welcomed newly appointed Special Rapporteur Katarina Schwarz and her emphasis on listening to grass-roots and survivor-led organisations, coordinating work across sectors and strengthening the implementation of existing laws and policies.
Connecting people with protection
The statement highlighted the gap that can exist between legislation designed to protect people and the ability of those experiencing trafficking to access that protection.
‘Our experience is that the gap is often not commitment, but connection,’ the statement said, pointing to the need for stronger links between communities, civil society organisations and formal protection systems.
Victims of trafficking may come into contact with churches, charities and other community organisations before they encounter specialist authorities. The statement therefore called for more robust pathways linking recognition and referral at community level with formal identification, protection and access to remedies. It emphasised that identifying people experiencing trafficking is not simply about increasing numbers, but about making sure they can receive the rights and protections already established for them.
The joint advocacy builds on previous collaboration between The Salvation Army and WEA. In September 2025, the organisations issued a joint statement to the Human Rights Council calling for urgent action to address the worst forms of child labour.
Through its international modern slavery and human trafficking work and engagement at the United Nations, The Salvation Army continues to advocate for approaches that place the dignity, safety and rights of victims of exploitation at the centre of the response.
The full joint statement and video of the address are available through the WEA.