Pope Francis and leaders from other major religions have vowed to do “everything in their power” to eradicate modern slavery by 2020 in a joint declaration signed in a ceremony at the Vatican Gardens today.
“We will do everything in our power (…) to work together towards the freedom of everyone enslaved, suffering from human trafficking, for them to have their futures back,” the document signed by Anglican, Orthodox, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and Muslim leaders.
“In the eyes of God, each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman, or man, and is destined to exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity,” it adds.
The signers called for “practical and spiritual action from all creeds and people of good will to eradicate modern slavery before 2020 for good.”
“We state that modern slavery in all its forms, prostitution, forced labour, mutilation, organ traffic or child labour are crimes against humanity in each of our creeds,” Pope Francis said.
The declarations stress that “technology, opportunity, awareness, wisdom and innovation to achieve this moral and human obligation” is currently available.
“We [the signers] make this declaration in the name of the victims,” the Pope said. He pointed out that human trafficking occurs virtually everywhere, often hidden in accepted conventions.
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