The Vatican Radio is asking officials, leaders, civil society, and faith communities to increase their efforts to fight human trafficking. A statement was made on Monday in Vienna by a representative of the Holy See.
“In his statement, he stressed that: “Irregular migration is not freely chosen, but rather forced on people because legal and secure channels are simply not available”. The migration process, he said, usually begins with “high hopes and expectations for greater security and better opportunities”. Since safe and affordable routes are general unavailable, he said, many migrants employ smugglers, but end up with an irregular or undocumented status that leaves them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.”
He added that the Holy See stresses the importance of ensuring adequate legal frameworks and reliable pathways to prevent migrants becoming victims of trafficking and enslavement.
Vulnerability is increased by many factors like poverty, joblessness, statelessness, poor or no education, and gender discrimination.
Fr. Czerny said that every society must recognize the power of demand that leads to this profitable multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise.
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