Pope Francis during the UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and International Friendship Day that were marked on July 30, 2023, called upon everyone to work and stop the exploitation of persons through human trafficking.
He said this while praying for all those in the fight against trafficking.
During the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis noted that on July 30th, the world observes two World Days declared by the United Nations. The first being, International Friendship Day which underlines the importance of friendship between people and cultures.
“The theme marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons that aims to stop the crime that turns people into commodities. Trafficking is a terrible reality, affecting too many people: children, women, workers, so many exploited people, all living in inhuman conditions and suffering indifference and rejection by society,” the Pope said.
The Pope pointed out how the crime of human trafficking is so widespread in the world. He therefore, applauded those working in this area and their assistance to the victims.
The theme of the July 30th World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was, “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind.”
The second day was the annual UN Day which aims to raise awareness of the troubling developments and trends in this area, and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.
Pope Francis spoke out strongly on the scourge of this reality often in the past, saying that human trafficking damages a person’s self-esteem.
“Human trafficking disfigures dignity. Exploitation and subjugation limit freedom and turn people into objects to use and discard. And the system of trafficking profits from the injustice and wickedness that oblige millions of people to live in conditions of vulnerability,” he noted.
Msgr. Robert Vitillo, the Secretary General of the Geneva-based International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) applauded the Pope for the strong message.
ICMC members offer help and support to trafficking victims. They help generate awareness and resilience in vulnerable communities, and work to develop new partnerships and alliances to achieve longer-term change.
The work takes place in a diverse range of national contexts around the world, from Argentina to Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Thailand, and South Africa, as well as at the international level.
In an interview with Vatican Radio, Msgr. Vitillo noted that, human trafficking is a growing global phenomena and affects men, women, and children of all backgrounds.
Recent years have seen a worldwide escalation of trafficking risks, as global economic crises, conflict, and the climate emergency drive, inequality and displacement. At the same time, global conviction rates have decreased.
The ICMC coordinates the efforts of Catholic outreach in this field bringing together national member organizations who work together to assist migrants.
