Christian leaders including Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby have joined with the leaders of other faiths in signing a joint statement declaring their aim to eradicate “modern slavery” by 2020.
TACKLING THE SCOURGE OF SLAVERY: World faith leaders at the event in Vatican City on Monday. PICTURE: Global Freedom Network
Brought together by the Global Freedom Network – a global faith-based anti-slavery and human trafficking initiative launched earlier this year, the group also included a representative of Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as well as leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faiths.
The declaration – which was signed on Monday, the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery – states that modern slavery, a term which encompasses human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution, organ trafficking and any relationship that “fails to respect the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity”, is a “crime against humanity”.
“We pledge ourselves here today to do all in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to work together for the freedom of all those who are enslaved and trafficked so that their future may be restored. Today we have the opportunity, awareness, wisdom, innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative.”
As well as the faith leaders, Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest – founder of the Walk Free Foundation which is a member partner of the Global Freedom Network – was present at the signing which took place in Vatican City.
The Walk Free Foundation’s annual Global Slavery Index published earlier this year found that almost 36 million people around the world lived in slavery. The GFN also quotes figures from the International Labour Organization showing total profits from the used of forced labor in the private economy globally amount to $US150 billion a year.
Others are also invited to sign the declaration. Follow the link below to do so.
~ www.globalfreedomnetwork.org
