From the 19 to the 21 of February the Department of Justice and Peace of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) celebrated its annual general meeting with delegates from the different dioceses in Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland. The Vicariate of Ingwavuma was present for the first time as Justice and Peace (JP) coordinators were appointed last year in each Mission.
Sr Lidia Danyluk OP, the new Vicariate coordinator of JP, explained that up to now the Vicariate was involved in JP initiatives even though no official groups had been organised.
In each one of the Missions of the Vicariate many people had been particularly involved in children's rights and migrants' rights.
For this year 2010 the fight against "Human Trafficking" has been identified as a priority for the Vicariate in the area of Justice and Peace.
Sr Melanie O'Connor who could not be at the AGM had prepared this text:
In South Africa, trafficking in persons is both a trans-national crime as well as a crime that takes place within the borders of the country. It has become a source, destination and transit country for trafficking in persons as it is perceived in and outside the continent as the economic giant in Africa offering many opportunities. People are trafficked for many reasons including for labour and sexual exploitation. Trafficking is further spurred by an increasing sex tourism. There is evidence that children are trafficked for a number of reasons – for labour and sexual exploitation; to be beggars, street vendors, housebreakers and drug runners. However, statistics on trafficking are not easily available as information reported to the police is captured under alternative charges such as racketeering, abduction, or organised crime.
The primary factors that facilitate trafficking in persons are, as we hear so often: poverty, family breakdown, gender discrimination, culture, HIV/AIDS, war, natural disasters and political instability, ignorance and demand. Other factors include weak laws and corruption and migration.The upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup (FWC) in South Africa which is expected to generate more than $4 billion, the highest revenue in World Cup history, raises various concerns about the possible increase in the abuse, exploitation and trafficking in persons especially children during the games; that it will provide opportunities for abusers, exploiters and traffickers to meet the perceived increased demand for cheap labour and sexual services.
Mrs Mary-Ann, present at the AGM, explained that "trafficking" involves: deception (many times it is a promise of a job or studies), geographical movement in the country or to another country, loss of sense of identity (IDs or passport are taken, people are beaten, locked or raped repeatedly), for a purpose (someone will make money (prostitution, domestic workers...).
The Vicariate of Ingwavuma borders with Swaziland and Mozambique. Next to the border with Mozambique we have a Catholic School whose principal has already started talking about it with the students. Soon we will start planning how to raise awareness as many are not sensitized to the reality of human trafficking and might become easy victims.
