Ending Trafficking Begins with us. Das Ende des Menschenhandels beginnt mit uns. Terminarea traficului incepe cu noi.Dhënia fund e Trafikimit Fillon me NE. Az emberkereskedelem vége velünk kezdődik! It-tmiem tat-traffikar uman jibda minna stess. Ukončenie obchodovania začína od nás. Крајот на Трговијата започнува со нас. Terminar com o tráfico começa por nós. Fine tratta comincia da Noi. Oprirea traficului de persoane începe cu noi. Położenie kresu handlowi ludźmi zaczyna się od nas. Het einde van mensenhandel begint bij ons. Mettre fin à la Traite : à nous d’abord de nous y mettre. Konec trgovanja z nami. Припинення торгівлі людьми починається з нас. Kova prieš prekybą žmonėmis prasideda nuo mūsų. Acabar con el tráfico humano empieza con NOSOTROS. At gøre ende på menneskehandel begynder hos os. Cilēku tirdzniecības beigas sākas ar mums. KONEC OBCHODOVÁNÍ S LIDMI ZAČÍNÁ NÁMI! KRAJ TRGOVANJA POČINJE S NAMA! PRESTANAK TRGOVANJA LJUDIMA ZAPOČINJE S NAMA! Краят на трафика на хора, започва с нас
Professor Janne Haaland Matlary, Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo, presented a paper entitled A ‘Liberal Profession’? The Norwegians Debate on the “Sex Buying Act” to Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) at Casina Pio IV, Vatican City, April 17th-21st, 2015. Professor Matlary’s paper gives a comprehensive insight into the impact of the Sex Buying Act (SBA) legally in force in Norway since January 2009. Intending to reduce the demand for sex and to help women find alternative work and a better quality of life, the Act also aimed to prevent human trafficking and to change attitudes towards prostitution. A recent evaluation of the Act reports a reduction in both demand and supply on the street by as much as 40-65%. Research has found that because of the Act, it is now much more difficult for traffickers and pimps to work in Norway, as both are criminal activities. Another significant research finding concerns attitudinal change in young men against the buying of sex. RENATE values any research or legislated acts which indicate or lead to the reduction in demand for any form of trafficking and exploitation in human persons. To read the full text of Professor Matlary’s paper: http://www.endslavery.va/content/endslavery/en/publications/acta_20/matlary.html Adapted and prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
“The light of the Gospel is a guide for anyone who is at the service of the civilisation of love, where the Beatitudes have a social resonance and where there is a real inclusion of the lowliest.” Pope Francis Thus spoke Pope Francis to delegates at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) at their 17th-21st April, 2015 meeting to consider the theme of Human Trafficking: Issues beyond Criminalization. The meeting considered human trafficking as a crime against humanity and raised challenging questions about repatriation; the necessity for improved assistance and support to victims of human trafficking and what is being done to stop the national and multi-national demands for exploited labour and sexual exploitation. RENATE Conference will conduct a training programme on the issue of repatriation when it meets in Madrid in June, 2015. For full information and final recommendations arising from the PASS meeting: http://www.endslavery.va/content/endslavery/en/events/criminalization.html Adapted and prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur and human rights expert, Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio will conduct an official visit to Armenia from 12 to 18 May 2015, at the invitation of the government. The purpose is to assess the situation of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in the country. During her visit, Ms. de Boer-Buquicchio will meet local and national senior ranking officials, members of NGO’s and civil society who work on child protection matters. She will also visit shelters and child-care centres in Yerevan, Vanadzor and Gyumri. “I look forward to assessing the progress made and challenges faced by Armenia against the sale and sexual exploitation of children in all its forms,” said the independent expert mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote comprehensive strategies to prevent and combat the sale and sexual exploitation of children, and to make recommendations for the rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims. “I will reach out to child victims and children in vulnerable situations to take their opinions into account in my recommendations to the Government and other concerned parties,” said Ms. de Boer-Buquicchio. Ms. De Boer-Buquicchio will present a comprehensive report on her visit to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2016. For more information, please visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Children/Pages/ChildrenIndex.aspx http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/ENACARegion/Pages/AMIndex.aspx Check the Universal Human Rights Index: http://uhri.ohchr.org/en
A report from the Centre for Social Justice in the UK, has called on the government to increase cross-border police operations in order to address the problem of increased human trafficking. The European Union’s open borders policy has provided increased opportunities for trafficking of people, which has become a very profitable business. Michael Buchanan’s report gives an insight into the situation in eastern Slovakia, when he recently visited and met with the staff who work at Caritas Slovakia. This report is available at http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32407812
‘’They are men and women like us , our brothers seeking a better life, starving, persecuted, wounded, exploited, victims of war. They were looking for a better life.’’ Pope Francis, 19-04-2015 Pope Francis expressed his heartfelt pain at the latest tragedy to befall migrants fleeing war and persecution. The boat carrying several hundred migrants capsised off the coast of Libya. This is but one of worst disasters seen in the Mediterranean migrant crisis. By lunch time on the 20th of April, a second boat ran aground off the coast of the Greek island of Rhodes, with the subsequent deaths of numerous migrants. Read more… Since the start of 2014, nearly 200,000 people have been rescued at sea by Italy. All the EU countries are being called to respond more actively to help rescue and shelter migrants, desperate to escape war, persecution and poverty. This emergency situation in the Mediterranean was placed at the top of the agenda of yesterday morning’s previously scheduled meeting of European Foreign Ministers, in Luxembourg, with Ministers observing a minute’s silence in prayer for those affected by the tragic drownings over both the weekend and Monday. The Italian and Maltese Foreign Ministers made impassioned pleas to member States for greater solidarity in the provision of humanitarian aid and not to simply leave it to one or two countries. They called for greater resourcing of the Triton Initiative – funds, boats, helicopters and personnel. At the heart of the matter is the problem of illegal trafficking of people. The exploitation of people fleeing for their lives, become ‘prey’ to traffickers. All of which poses the challenge for Justice Departments to address adequately the criminal activities of traffickers. The European Union is due to publish a new Migration Strategy paper in May 2015, to address would-be migrants at their country of origin. Migrants on the ship, photo by Associated Press Arising from an urgently convened meeting of all European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers last evening, the European Union has devised a 10-point Plan which it is hoped will help to try to find ways to address this crisis Some of the proposed plans to be considered at a special meeting of the European Council on the 23rd April, include:
Provision of additional funds for search & recovery;
Reinforcement of E U border control operations in the Mediterranean;
Systematic efforts to capture and destroy vessels used by smugglers;
Create a new programme of ‘’Rapid return’’ of migrants to their mother country;
Develop a pilot programme to share re-settlement of migrants amongst the all EU Member States;
‘’What happened off the coast of Italy, what happens every day at the southern border of Europe, is unacceptable for a union that was built on the principles of solidarity, respect for human rights and dignity for all…We need to fight the trafficking of human beings… ‘’ (EU Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini – 20th April, 2015). RENATE offers prayers that the European partners collaborate to act swiftly to stop the trafficking of people across the Mediterranean and create long-lasting measures which will put an end to war and strife, which cause so many to flee in search of safety and a better life. Compiled by Anne Kelleher RENATE Communications Person
This Way of the Cross is for us to pray everyday, in union with our many trafficked sisters and brothers who suffer daily on this cross with Jesus. We thank Sr. Marie Hélène Halligon RGS for sharing this prayer with us. Way of the Cross to End Human Trafficking
Although still seven years hence, work is well under way for the World Cup in 2022, which will be held in Qatar, the Middle East. Billion dollar building programmes have commenced in order to ensure enjoyment for those attending and participating in the competitions, as well as the success of the venture for the host country, Qatar. Qatar’s ‘’Guest Worker’’ programme was portrayed as a beacon of possibility, offering work and success. However, in reality, we now find that thousands are in fact trapped in horrific working conditions, forced to work under the desert’s scorching sun with little or no respite; denied adequate food and drinking water; housed in squalid living conditions and prevented from returning to their home countries as their passports have been confiscated. Sources: The Guardian: Death toll among Qatar’s 2022 World Cup workers revealed Human Rights Watch: Building a Better World Cup Bloomberg: At a Qatar Project Overseen by Americans, Workers Die Almost Daily The Guardian: Qatar accused of dragging its feet over treatment of migrant workers Reuters: Qatar risks losing World Cup without job reform
Avaaz.org is a global campaigning network which works to ensure the views and values of the world’s people, shape global decision making and is currently inviting people to sign their petition to the Emir of Qatar, the Secretary General of Qatar 2022 & the CEO of CH2M Hill (the public face of World Cup construction, managing a major part of Qatar 2022), to instate basic human rights and safety measures for its building programme and support workers. By simply adding our names to the petition we can make a difference and help free these workers from a form of modern day slavery. In doing so, we not only honour RENATE’s commitment to campaign against slavery and exploitation at world sports events, we bear witness to Pope Francis’ message that ‘’…Every person, and all people, are equal and must be accorded the same freedom and the same dignity.’’ (Declaration on International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2nd December 2014).
On Friday, 13th February, WalkFree.org posted the good news outcome of justice being served to Erwiana, a domestic worker in Hong Kong, who was mistreated and exploited by her employers. While we celebrate the positive outcome for Erwiana, we remember the countless others who are at risk in similar situations of exploitation and ill treatment. Together we can make a difference as we shine a light into the darkness behind those closed doors. Read more here: Help End Modern Slavery in Hong Kong
Letter from Talitha Kum for the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.
Rome, 23rd January 2015
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This is a letter to follow-up on the introduction made earlier this month. We are proceeding with the plans for celebrating an International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, and would like to provide your network with resources developed by the Talitha Kum Team here in Rome. You are free to use or modify these resources to suit your local needs. The resources will be available on a special website after 2 February, 2015. www.a-light-against-human-trafficking.info The resources include a short prayer available in English, Swahili, Thai, Arabic, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, French, and soon Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia. There is also a longer Prayer Service available in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. If you are able to translate materials into other languages, we thank you and ask that you share these translations on the website. Attached to this e-mail is the official Program which will be followed in Rome, in English. Please note that a Press Conference will be held in Rome on 3 February; you may want to do something similar locally. (…) The Talitha Kum Team Full text of the letter is available in the Member Only Area. UISG A Light Against Trafficking_Program Outline
The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center in the US acts for justice in the church and in the world. IPJC is sponsored by 18 religious communities and collaborates with Catholic, ecumenical, interfaith and other organizations in carrying out this mission. IPJC initiated Human Trafficking Vigils and invites people to join for a silent prayer on 1st Sunday of each month to raise awareness about human trafficking. Perhaps this will be an inspiration for you to take a similar action in the local community? Click here to read more about IPJC initiative.
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