Every July 30, World Day against Trafficking in Persons is commemorated, a date established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, as an effort to “raise greater awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and to promote and protect their rights.”
The concern of the Catholic Church
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This drama also deeply worries the Catholic Church. On the occasion of the 10th World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, on February 8 of this year, Pope Francis cheer up, following the testimony of Saint Josephine Bakhita – who was a victim of trafficking and slavery –, to “open our eyes and ears, to see those who remain invisible and listen to those who have no voice; to recognize the dignity of each one and to act against trafficking and against all forms of exploitation.”
“Let us know that it is possible to combat trafficking, but it is necessary to get to the root of the phenomenon, eradicating the causes,” said the Holy Father.
Caritas Internationalis, solidarity organization of the Catholic Church throughout the world, warns on its website that “human trafficking is the modern term today for slavery. Women, minors and men are bought and sold, beaten, mistreated and sometimes murdered, while they are traded as if they were merchandise, in the invisible markets of trafficking around the world.
Modern slavery statistics
According to the report Global estimates of modern slavery: forced labor and forced marriage50 million people in the world suffer from modern slavery.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) points out that “human trafficking is a global problem and one of the most shameful crimes that exist, since it deprives millions of people around the world of their dignity. Traffickers deceive women, men and children from all corners of the planet and subject them to exploitative situations on a daily basis.”
“Two-thirds of human trafficking victims around the world are women,” she adds.
How to combat human trafficking?
In the “special points of interest” In its Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022, UNODC recommends, among other actions, that States “promote joint interventions that bring together law enforcement forces, social protection services, civil society organizations and the sector.” private in order to identify and protect victims exploited in private apartments, hotels and other hidden places.”
In addition, it encourages the public and private sectors of different countries to promote regulations for online platforms, such as age verification and consent requirements.
David Ramos
Graduated in Communication Sciences from the Universidad Privada del Norte in Trujillo, Peru. With more than 12 years of experience in Catholic journalism working at ACI Prensa, I have been based in Mexico since 2018. I have covered Pope Francis’ trips to Ecuador, Paraguay, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Panama.