AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Catholic Bishops say every effort must be made to end human trafficking “ a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person”

Washington (Agenzia Fides) - "Human trafficking is a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person and all efforts must be expended to end it. In the end, we must work together---church, state, and community---to eliminate the root causes and markets that permit traffickers to flourish; to make whole the survivors of this crime; and to ensure that one day soon trafficking in human persons vanishes from the face of the earth." This was part of a recent statement signed by Bishop Gerald R. Barnes Bishop of San Bernardino (California), President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, in which the Bishops urge the government and Catholics to work together to eradicate this trafficking. The Bishops say they wish to "call attention to this tragic reality to raise awareness among Catholics and others of good will about its devastating impact on vulnerable persons. We urge Catholics to work together to identify survivors of human trafficking and to help rescue them from their bondage"
They say the international community is only just beginning to understand the vastness and impact of human trafficking in the world and so solutions to the problem are slow in coming. Hence the need to involve the entire international community to eradicate the causes of the problem and bring those involved to judgement.
They recall that in the United States, "the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 provides an important framework for responding to human trafficking" but has not been effectively applied. " This legislation should be re-authorised, adequately funded, and aggressively implemented" the bishops affirm. They also call on the " Federal Government to increase educational efforts so that all Americans become more aware of this problem”. The statement ends "We call upon Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform, which would provide legal avenues for men, women, and their families to enter the country and work legally and safely." " As Catholic bishops, we pledge to use the resources of the church to help end this affliction. We also pledge to use our teaching authority to educate Catholics and others about human trafficking" the Bishops conclude. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2007; righe 24, parole 324)