Freedom from slavery

by Editor · July 9, 2014

Human trafficking is big global business, almost as lucrative as the drug trade � and even more revolting. In South Africa, it is the third-biggest form of crime, after the trade in drugs and arms.

Children who are trafficked internally or from neighbouring countries are forced into domestic or agricultural servitude, begging, street vending, food service, or criminal activities. (Photo: Sgarton/morguefile)

Every year, hundreds of thousands of human beings are sold and abused. Most are condemned to forced labour, while many women and even children are coerced to work as sex slaves, usually after systematic violations of a kind which no human being should endure.

The problem is acute in South Africa, which is known to be a hub of import, export and transit in human trafficking. Internal trafficking, usually from rural areas to urban centres but also to farms, is widespread. Forced labour is reportedly used in fruit and vegetable farms across South Africa and in some vineyards in the Western Cape, according to the �Trafficking in Persons 2014 Report�, issued in late June by the US State Department.

Children who are trafficked internally or from neighbouring countries are forced into domestic or agricultural servitude, begging, street vending, food service, or criminal activities.

South Africans are also enslaved internationally. Last year South African victims were identified and repatriated from Malawi and Venezuela, while Brazil released a woman convicted as a drug smuggler after she was recognised as a victim of trafficking.

Disturbingly, many governments and law enforcement agencies around the world have been slow to act decisively, compassionately or, in some cases, ethically in combating human trafficking.

When slaves�for that is what trafficked people are�escape their subjection, they are often treated as illegal immigrants and deported to the place of their origin, usually back into the domain of those who were responsible for their plight in the first place.

Lack of protection for the victims of human trafficking feeds the problem as its perpetrators are emboldened to act with impunity.

Our contempt must be directed not only at those repulsive individuals who trade in human lives, but also at those who exploit the victims, directly or indirectly, and also at those who do have the power to address the problem but fail to exercise it.

This includes South Africa�s government, which still fails to fully comply with the minimum standards set by the US for the elimination of trafficking.

Although the report notes some progress, it observes: �The government failed to systematically address labour trafficking offences or successfully prosecute cases against any major international syndicates responsible for much of the sex trafficking in the country. A serious lack of capacity and widespread corruption among the police force stymied progress in anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts.�

There is some cause for hope. Anti-trafficking legislation was finally signed into law last year, albeit after a negligent delay which spanned years.

And still, almost exactly a year after President Jacob Zuma signed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the law awaits promulgation, subject to the completion of implementing regulations.

The churches can do much to provide protection for people who escape their captivity � for example in terms of shelter and legal support � and in advocating for the enforcement of the law, once it is in effect.

The Catholic Church in Southern Africa, through the Trafficking Desk of the Southern African Catholic Bishops� Conference, has already done much commendable work in the field, while the International Network of Religious Against Trafficking in Persons is addressing the crisis globally.

Clearly the crisis is of concern to the Christian Church. Last month Pope Francis and Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury pledged great cooperation between the churches. Both condemned human trafficking as �a crime against humanity�.

In December, Pope Francis told diplomats to the Holy See: �We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that�s become ever more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society�, as well as international security and laws, the economy, families and communities.

Working together according to an integrated plan, churches and other faith bodies, secular organisations and governments have the potential to liberate many from their slavery, and prevent many others from falling into the trap of trafficking in the first place.