Interreligious Prayer for Victims and Survivors of Trafficking in Persons

Asian Conference of Religions for PeaceJuly 30th is the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, as declared by the United Nations. The Asian Conference on Religions for Peace is conducting an online prayer vigil for victims of Human Trafficking. Christians, Buddhists, Shinto, and Muslims will pray together (online) on July 30th, 2021 at 6:00pm, Tokyo time.


On this day, we will pray across religious boundaries. This is the online joint prayer project of Talitha Kum Japan and Religions for Peace Japan.

Our brothers and sisters in Christianity, Buddhism, Shintoism, and Islam will pray together. Please join us and pray together for all people suffering from human trafficking.

Event Details

Date: July 30th, 2021
Time: 6:00 PM-6:30 PM (Japan Standard Time)
Theme: Care Against Trafficking
Registration: https://forms.gle/DroVrKwAjRk5rsEz5
Language: Japanese and English
Contact: jcarm@cbcj.catholic.jp/rfpj-info@wcrp.or.jp

United Nations

In the midst of a global pandemic, accompanied by rising inequalities and economic devastation, the voices of human trafficking survivors and victims risk being drowned out.

But listening to their stories is more crucial than ever as the COVID-19 crisis increases fragilities and drives up desperation.

As many as 124 million more people have been pushed into extreme poverty by the pandemic, leaving many millions vulnerable to trafficking.

Children are at great and growing risk: they represent one-third of victims globally — a share that has tripled in the last 15 years. Half of victims in low-income countries are children, most of whom are trafficked for forced labour. Criminals everywhere are using technology to identify, control and exploit vulnerable people. Children are increasingly targeted through online platforms for sexual exploitation, forced marriage and other forms of abuse.

Trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of sexual exploitation continues to be one of the most widespread and abhorrent forms of human trafficking. Migrants account for more than half of those trafficked in most regions.

Governments must take urgent steps to strengthen prevention, support victims and bring perpetrators to justice. This includes implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons.

Our efforts must be guided by survivors of trafficking. Their contribution is essential to address risk factors and patterns, and to identify and protect victims and ensure their access to justice and recovery, while holding their exploiters accountable.

The United Nations is committed to listening and responding to the voices of victims and survivors of human trafficking, ensuring their rights and dignity, amplifying their stories and learning from them in our fight to prevent and put an end to this terrible crime.

 

Solidarity against trafficking
Members of the refugee and host community came together to demonstrate solidarity against forced human trafficking in eastern Sudan in in 2018. © UNHCR/Bahia Egeh

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