Every Lent the Church in Brazil launches “The Fraternity Campaign”. The theme chosen this year for reflection/conversion/action is Fraternity and Human Trafficking. The slogan is, “Christ freed us so that we could remain free”. (Gal 5:1)
The choice of this theme was the result of proposals made by various groups who fight against human trafficking and slave labour and had the agreement of the Conference of the Bishops of Brazil (CNBB).
There is an alarming amount of human trafficking both in the country and throughout the world: The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has declared that the number of victims of slave labour and sexual exploitation is on the increase.
According to the United Nations Organisation (UNO), 2.5 million people in Brazil fall victim to these practices each year. These include men, women and children. The victims are mainly vulnerable poor people.
The year of this theme coincides with the year during which the World Cup 2014 takes place in Brazil. This is a time when crowds of visitors come to the country and this can work to the traffickers’ advantage. The Campaign will intensify its work of conscientisation in an attempt to minimise this criminal practice.
According to the UNO, human trafficking is quite lucrative: it has an annual turnover of 32 billion dollars throughout the world. 85% of this comes from sexual exploitation. The main countries involved are Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, The Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland.
These victims are the new poor – a disastrous consequence of globalisation where the ever-expanding market economy puts profit before human dignity and life in general.
When we celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus we are invited to commit ourselves together to work and care for the victims of this injustice which violates human rights.
Manual of the Fraternity Campaign 2014.