INTERFAITH JOINT DECLARATION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

11 leaders from different religions in Malaysia signed a Joint Declaration against Human Trafficking on 30th July, 2017 at the invitation of the Roman Catholic Archbishop, Julian Leow, in Kuala Lumpur.

“Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. It is a scourge that must be eradicated”, the declaration stated, and the interfaith religious leaders committed themselves to join in the global movement against human trafficking, starting in Malaysia.

Thus they pledged to do everything in their power, within their faith communities and beyond, to fight against human trafficking and to work for the freedom of those who have become victims.

Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, the General Secretary of Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), who was one of the signatories, shared that the date of the Joint Declaration was important as it coincided with the United Nation’s; “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons”.

“The UN estimates 21 million people are victims of forced labor globally and it also include the sexual exploitation of women and children,” Dr. Shastri asserted, “and so the CCM joins forces with civil society groups, faith – based NGO’s, and the World Council of Churches, to strengthen ecumenical engagement to seek to end this terrible human scourge in all its dehumanizing forms”

One of the first steps is that CCM promote awareness building among congregations and to encourage churches to work locally to take steps to join in the global movement against human trafficking.

Inter-faith joint declaration against human trafficking

Inspired by our confessions of faith, we the undersigned, stand together today in solidarity with the millions of people who have been trafficked and enslaved.

In our religions, every girl, boy, women and man is a free person, and all exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity..

That people are trafficked and exploited physically, economically, sexually and psychologically for the profit, benefit and pleasure of others, goes against the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity.

Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. It is a scourge that must be eradicated.

Thus, we pledge today to do everything in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to fight against human trafficking and to work for the freedom of those who have been trafficked and enslaved, that their dignity may be restored and they may once again have reason to hope.

30th July 2017