Forum on Modern Slavery – Awareness, Action and Impact

After many centuries of progress and advancement, we still live in a world where injustice and slavery continue to thrive, and where human dignity is exchanged for the sole purpose of greed, gain, and profit, reflected Bartholomew. “The Ecumenical Patriarchate is committed to learn, act, and witness to the elimination of this global abomination that traps millions of people to lives of suffering, injustice, and humiliation,” he said.


n an opening address at a Forum on Modern Slavery in Istanbul on 7 January, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke on “Awareness, Action and Impact.”

After many centuries of progress and advancement, we still live in a world where injustice and slavery continue to thrive, and where human dignity is exchanged for the sole purpose of greed, gain, and profit, reflected Bartholomew. “The Ecumenical Patriarchate is committed to learn, act, and witness to the elimination of this global abomination that traps millions of people to lives of suffering, injustice, and humiliation,” he said.

The forum, held 5-8 January, convened experts, practitioners and policymakers from international, governmental and non-governmental organizations, in consultation with representatives from Orthodox Christian ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. It is the third such international gathering. Among the topics discussed were human rights, legal framework, forced migration, human trafficking, and grassroots action.

“Human trafficking is an issue driven by power and privilege…we must challenge the current power systems in our societies,” said Dr Perry N.Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health.

“The declaration of the rights of the child is denied to so many children on the move because of their migration status,” said Dr V.Digidiki Lucero of the Harvard School of Public Health.

“The end of violence requires the end of impunity. The end of impunity requires functioning public systems,” said Abraham George, global director, Church Partnerships, International Justice Mission.

“Until you are in it (the human trafficking reality) you have no idea what life you are saving…the only question is: Not others but what can I do about it?” asked Savelia Curniski, of NASHI, Canada.

Ultimately, silence and passive acceptance of the present situation is no longer possible or acceptable, Bartholomew concluded. “Our love is not to be only for those whom we know, but also for the nameless, the unknown, those who are suffering, especially those trapped in the complex web of slavery,” he said. “We are called to fulfill an act of natural justice, as we must liberate them from tyranny and exploitation.”

Words are not enough, Bartholomew reiterated. “Action is required,” he urged. “Together with the sensitization of consciences, we must participate in concrete initiatives and actions.”

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

United Nations – Human Trafficking

 

2 December 2014 – We, the undersigned, are gathered here today for a historical initiative to inspire spiritual and practical action by all global faiths and people of good will everywhere to eradicate modern slavery across the world by 2020 and for all time.

In the eyes of God each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman or man, and is destined to exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity. Modern slavery, in terms of 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.

Signatories
Pope Francis
Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma)
Venerable Bhikkhuni Thich Nu Chan Khong (representing Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh)
The Most Ven. Datuk K Sri Dhammaratana, Chief High Priest of Malaysia
Rabbi Dr. Abraham Skorka
Rabbi Dr. David Rosen
Dr. Abbas Abdalla Abbas Soliman, Undersecretary of State of Al Azhar Alsharif (representing Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar)
Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi
Sheikh Naziyah Razzaq Jaafar, Special advisor of Grand Ayatollah (representing Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain al Najafi)
Sheikh Omar Abboud
Most Revd and Right Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (representing His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)