Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - “The thought of the World Cup in Africa arouses great excitement and pride in most Africans. But there is also great anxiety because this big event brings with it the terrible possibility of increased human trafficking,” says a statement sent to Agenzia Fides from the “Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection” (JCTR) in Lusaka, capital of Zambia. The Jesuits recall that the danger of a sharp increase in trafficking with the World Cup in South Africa (opening June 11) is “especially true because South Africa is already a popular destination for this cruel crime.” For some time now, the Church in South Africa has sent out an alert on this problem (see Fides 9/4/2010 and 23/4/2010).
Reports on human trafficking indicate that about 800,000 people per year are trafficked across international borders and many more within individual countries. Traffickers make as much money as US $12 Billion per year.
Trafficking in human persons, says JCTR, is also a threat to the people of Zambia. “This crime often sounds so remote to many of us because it is a hidden and a very sophisticated crime and this invisibility really puts many people at risk,” says Sr. Kayula Lesa, JCTR Church Social Teaching Coordinator.
According to the statement, “Reports about Zambia in this regard are very worrying. Large numbers of women and children -- especially female adolescents -- are even now being trafficked within Zambia and across our borders to South African via Zimbabwe and to Europe via Malawi.”
“For many victims, this business is facilitated by the people they are close to,” recounts Sr. Lesa, “with relatives, acquaintances, religious leaders and business people cheating them, [saying] that there are greater opportunities elsewhere for the victims to improve their lives.”
JCTR affirms that people can be saved from trafficking, working with organizations that fight against the crime, like International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Sisters of Charity (RSCs), Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA). In September 2008, Zambia's government put an Anti-Human Trafficking Law in place.
According to Sr. Lesa, Zambians can do a lot within the remaining days before the World Cup and beyond. These include:
“1. Raising awareness: Victims tend to be those who have never heard of human trafficking. We have a duty to educate our families and people in our communities.
2. Praying for victims: We can dedicate a day of prayer for victims, especially on a Sunday close to the World Cup, and as we do this, we also raise awareness.
3. Promoting Government pro-poor policies: One important fact that fuels this crime is poverty. A search for a better life has landed many victims into the traffickers’ hands. It is important that we advocate for pro-poor policies and promote economic and social rights in our new Constitution. 4.Encouraging police action: We cooperate with the police in reporting cases that we suspect to be human trafficking. The police then can take an immediate role in seeing to it that these cases are acted upon.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2010)
