Since 2013, July 30 has commemorated World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a drama Pope Francis has forcefully denounced.
According to the International Labor Organization, there are currently more than 40 million victims of human trafficking and exploitation.
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE SOLD AS SLAVES
POPE FRANCIS
In the world, millions of people are sold as slaves, or beg for a bit of humanity, a moment of affection; they set sail or set out on the journey because they have lost everything, starting with their dignity and their own rights.
Every year, millions of women arrive in Europe as victims of devious sexual exploitation schemes. Pope Francis has spoken out against the hypocrisy which affects this drama even more.
THERE'S A BUSINESS BEHIND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
POPE FRANCIS
There are entrepreneurs who hire young people for slave labor, or take them. There are consumers who approach girls, who are not free, but are slaves, because when those girls return to their boss' house—we can call him the mafia boss—they must pay him a certain amount every day.
The pope also says it is hypocritical to be scandalized without doing anything to solve the problem.
TAKING ACTION IS ESSENTIAL
POPE FRANCIS
May each and every one of us feel committed to be a voice of our brothers and sisters whose dignity is being humiliated.
WARNING AGAINST “MERCHANTS OF HUMAN FLESH”
This tragedy is often added to another: that of human trafficking, given that many migrants are victims of forced labor throughout their journey in search of a better future.
POPE FRANCIS
I want to thank those who work with migrants by helping them and supporting them through these difficult moments, and by defending them against those who Blessed Scalabrini described as 'merchants of human flesh,' who want to enslave migrants.
VIOLATIONS OF FREEDOM ARE UNJUSTIFIABLE
Pope Francis lamented that at the root of this crime exists an egocentric individuality that sees others as merchandise.
POPE FRANCIS
Human trafficking constitutes an unjustifiable violation of the freedom and dignity of victims, the constitutive dimension of the human being willed and created by God. It must therefore be considered a crime against humanity. Without a doubt, without a doubt.
Pope Francis said “every choice contrary to the realization of God's plan in us is a betrayal of our humanity” and that “it is to take a descending ladder, to go to the lowest, to become animals.”
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
