Every year, millions of children, women and men fall into the hands of traffickers, lured by fake promises and deceit. Human trafficking has become a global multi-billion-dollar enterprise, affecting nearly every country in the world. Unfortunately Malta is not exempt from this. Today, there are millions of people whose liberty, dignity and essential human rights have been stolen. They are coerced into sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, forced begging and stealing, and even compelled to "sell" skin and organs
A global problem like trafficking needs a global solution, which is why the United Nations organise the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, every 30 July. The day aims to raise awareness, encourage vigilance and gain support for prevention of human trafficking, and also explain why they have produced a protocol to punish human trafficking and are hoping to implement this globally, as well as an act to protect victims of trafficking.
There is one such organisation in Malta working tirelessly to increase the awareness of trafficking – the Cross Culture International Foundation.
"We used to find ourselves working to support the victims of these heinous crimes, but in recent years we have shifted towards preventing it from happening altogether, trafficking is modern day slavery," explains Alec Bvumburah, director of Cross Culture Foundation. "Many people ask us how many people are trafficked into Malta, the reality is we don't know and it is nearly impossible to put an accurate number on it."
The Trafficking in Persons Report 2018 produced annually by the US State Department uncovers where modern slavery thrives and highlights specific steps each government can take to protect victims of human trafficking, prevent trafficking crimes, and prosecute traffickers. The most recent report is available online, and was published just a few weeks ago.
"What you earned belongs to me, I gave you the job and I can kick you out," is one poignant quote that heads the document, referring to a case of Chinese worker in Malta.
The US report states that forced labour victims in Malta originate from China, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia."Women from southeast Asia working as domestic workers, Chinese nationals working in massage parlours, foreign male football players, and women from central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Ukraine working in nightclubs represent populations vulnerable to exploitation."
Facts Alec and his team know all too well as he recounts tales of gangs operating locally. Malta has maintained its ranking as Tier 2 which categorises governments of countries that do not fully meet the minimum standards but "are making significant efforts to do so"
The recent report states that the police identified 30 foreign trafficking victims (35 in 2016). These included 24 Ukrainian labour trafficking victims (all from a single case) and six female victims (four Chinese nationals and two Hungarian nationals).There are approximately 5,000 irregular migrants from African countries residing in Malta who are vulnerable to trafficking in the country's informal labour market including industries such as hospitality, domestic services and construction.
Positively the report highlights the government increased its anti-trafficking budget from €20,000 in 2017 to €35,000 in 2018. This excluded government funds provided to agencies for victim support provided elsewhere in the Budget. However it is noted, the government did not conduct any awareness campaigns during the reporting period. It also states the government has never identified a child victim.
The US report also makes a list of recommendations, including that the government "vigorously and expeditiously investigate and prosecute trafficking offences, and pursue adequate sentencing for convicted trafficking offenders."
Article 248A-G of the criminal code criminalized all forms of trafficking and prescribed penalties of four to 12 years imprisonment. "This simply isn't enough to deter the perpetrators of these crimes" adds Alec.
"We all have a responsibility to support the most vulnerable people in our society, please contact us, the police or Appogg if you are concerned about someone," concludes Alec, who is currently on a mission climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds regarding this cause.
You can sponsor this initiative by giving a small donation on the following link: https://gogetfunding.com/projectstop-zimbabwe/
from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2LBgDmr
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment