Pope Francis urged to join forces and ask for responsibilities against human trafficking

Pope Francis on Friday urged «to join forces» and «call each one to their responsibilities» to fight against human trafficking, while asking «the representatives of governments and organizations» who promote «initiatives in Defense of human dignity. ”

“Trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon that is charged with millions of victims and does not stop at anything. He always finds new ways to enter our societies, ”said the Pontiff upon receiving a delegation from the ‘Talitha Kum’ Net To his residence today’s acts and tomorrow of his agenda.

In his speech, Francisco recalled that Santa Josefina Bakhita «was the victim of this terrible social scourge» and that «his story shows how, despite the injustice and suffering suffered, with the grace of the Lord it is possible to break the chains, return to be free and become messengers of hope for others who are in difficulties. ”

«Given this drama, we cannot remain indifferent and, like you, we must unite our forces, our voices and call each one to their responsibilities, to fight against this form of crime that profit from the skin of the most vulnerable.» , he added.

The Pope insisted that «the trade of bodies, sexual exploitation, even children, and forced labor are a shame and a very serious violation of fundamental human rights.»

And he released a message of mood «to all the organizations of this network and all the people who integrate it to continue joining efforts, putting the victims and survivors in the center, listening to their stories, attending their wounds and amplifying their voices.»

The audience to the delegation of ‘Talitha Kum’ coincided with the XI World Day against Trafficking in Persons and Francisco reiterated in his message with this reason the ideas he presented before the members of the network.

“How to continue feeding hope before millions of people, especially women and children, young people, migrants and refugees, trapped in this modern slavery? Where do we get a new impulse to fight against the trade of human organs and tissues, the sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, including prostitution, drug trafficking and weapons? ”He asked.

He stressed that “young people from all over the world fighting against trafficking offer us an example: they tell us that we must become ambassadors of hope and act together, with tenacity and love; that we must be next to the victims and survivors. ”

“Trafficking is a complex phenomenon, in constant evolution, and is fed by wars, conflicts, hunger and the consequences of climate change. Therefore, it requires global responses and a common effort, at all levels, to counteract it, ”he explained.

Therefore, he invited “especially the representatives of governments and organizations that share this commitment to join” to “promote initiatives in defense of human dignity, for the elimination of human beings in all their forms and by the promotion of peace in the world. ”

«Together we will make a great effort and create the conditions for trafficking and exploitation to be proscribed and so that respect for fundamental human rights prevails, in the fraternal recognition of our common humanity,» he concluded.