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Sound the Bamboo
[CCA Hymnal]
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Letter from 10th HR Training
Dear friends in Christ,
We the participants of the Christian Conference of Asia [CCA] 10th Annual Human Rights Training respectfully wish to draw to your attention the serious situation that we have observed in terms of human trafficking in many parts of Asia, particularly in Mekong region. Human trafficking) has been defined in the United Nations Trafficking Protocol as being recruitment, transportation or transfer or harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or abuse of a position of vulnerability for the purpose of exploitation, including prostitution or slavery, removal of organs or other exploitative practices.
From our visit to the north of Thailand and discussion and briefing from a number of government and non-governmental organizations and the church of Christ in Thailand, it is clear that, - Poverty and vulnerability due to family violence including sexual violence, drug addiction, lack of education, political insecurity and economic marginalization have led to many people, especially children and women, to being forced into child labour, sexual exploitation and harsh conditions of work in foreign countries. People from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, South China, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries are targeted by unscrupulous recruiters. They paint beautiful pictures of life in other countries and trick or force children, youth and women into dangerous working and living conditions.
- Problems faced by those who are trafficked include language barriers, fear and trauma.
- Governments have not given sufficient priority to an integrated, cross border approach to prevention, protection and prosecution.
- A package of measures is needed, involving families, churches, agencies of the governments, community groups, employers, trade unions and international agencies.
Human trafficking destroys lives, communities and human dignity. Many countries are affected, either as countries of origin or countries of destination.
We call on the churches to, - get in touch those who are working with those who are exploited through being trafficked and groups working with them.
- take actions to strengthen local communities in terms of sustainable livelihood, building strong family and providing community support especially for the marginalized.
- become involved in helping those who escaped these harsh conditions through provision of shelter, food and alternative means of livelihood.
- assist in identification and prosecution of traffickers.
- advocate whole of government approach to eradicating human trafficking.
- monitor effectiveness of the churches and governments in adequately addressing problem of human trafficking.
- spread information about the problems of human trafficking, to warn and to educate all members of society.
- strengthen international church and NGO networks of information and advocacy.
All are born to live life in abundance, peace, dignity, safety and freedom. Wherever children, women or men are forced into slavery of any kind, God is there and suffers with them. Whatever we do for those in great suffering, we do for Christ.
We are thankful for the CCA 10th Annual Human Rights Training, which has opened our eyes to these realities and trust that our churches will continue to actively support it.
Yours in Christ,
Participants, Resource Persons and Organisers of the Tenth Annual Human Rights Training Program, from Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Australia, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Taiwan, Thailand.
Cc. Asian Human Rights Commission
ILO
UNHCR
UN Human Rights Council
Human Rights Commissions of Asia.
posted by cbs on Monday, November 27, 2006
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Christian Conference of Asia
