AFRICA - "We urgently call on you to address the evils of these new forms of slavery in our times”: Catholic Bishops of Africa and Europe appeal to African and European political leaders meeting in a Lisbon

Lisbon (Agenzia Fides)- “Slavery still persists today, and in more subtle ways, such as in the treatment of migrants and migrant workers, child labour, women and child trafficking, etc. The vast majority of African migrants leave home because they lack the wherewithall to live. If the partnership between Europe and Africa is to bring about social justice and peaceful integral human development for all, we urgently call on you to address the evils of these new forms of slavery in our times”. The Bishops of Africa and Europe appealed to heads of state and government of both continents in a Letter delivered on the occasion of the recent Europe-Africa Summit held 8 and 9 December in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Letter was written during a meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Africa and Europe in Ghana (see Fides 21/11/2007). The Bishops recall that this is the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in west Africa and they call on African and European political leaders to adopt measures to eradicate modern forms of slavery. The measures include: fighting human trafficking; ending continual exploitation of African resources; the “brain drain” including medical staff from the continent); working to achieve millennium goals (the UN programme to eradicate poverty by 2015); pursuing the common good and good government, fight corruption; recognising the contribution of migrants to development of hosting countries and the contribution of the money sent home to support their families.
At the meeting in Lisbon 27 EU countries and 53 African countries formed a “strategic partnership” on questions of economy and development and difficulties connected with security, migrations, climate change, energy. The agreement aimed to build “relations among equals”, founded on 8 points, some were similar to those raised by the Bishops in their Letter including: immigration with a proposal to create an “immigration pact”, to co-management of the flow of immigrants into Europe; peace and security; good governance (fight corruption, trafficking of human person, drugs; better management of natural resources); trade and economic integration to help Africa produce products which are competitive on international markets. On this point there was disagreement with regard to negotiations for the new Economic Partnership to replace the old Lome agreements (see Fides 26/9/2007). Most African countries are against creating in 2025-2030, a free trade area between the two continents, which might destroy Africa's fragile economy. The president of the European Commission, Manuel Barroso, promised more time next year for negotiations on APE agreements, but he recalled that temporary agreements must be signed before the end of the year to avoid negative consequences for trade between the two continents. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2007 righe 33 parole 495)