Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
International

Pope Francis describes modern slavery as crime against humanity

Darpan News Desk IANS, 02 Dec, 2014 10:48 AM
    Pope Francis on Tuesday characterized all forms of modern slavery, including prostitution and human trafficking, as crimes against humanity.
     
    The Pope was speaking during the signing ceremony of an ecumenical agreement between leaders belonging to different religions, who met with the aim of eradicating the scourge of slavery worldwide by 2020.
     
    The event was attended by representatives of a number of the world's religions.
     
    Among those taking part were Hindu guru Mata Amritanandamayi, Argentinian rabbi Abraham Skorka, rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee, French Orthodox metropolitan bishop Emmanuel, Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi al-Modarresi, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Buddhist representatives, among others.
     
    The Pope said that modern slavery, despite all efforts, remains a terrible scourge and is still practiced worldwide on a large scale, including sexual tourism.
     
    He said modern slavery is found in streets, factories, houses, cities and villages, as well as in rich and poor nations.
     
    Its victims are from all walks of life, but those who suffer most are the poor and the most vulnerable, the Pope added.
     
    Every human being is a free person and all people are equal and possess the right to live in dignity and freedom, he noted.
     
    The pontiff declared that by signing such a historic initiative, different religions would work together to eliminate modern slavery in all its forms, including sexual and psychological ones, which subject daily tens of millions of people to humiliation and dehumanisation.
     
    He urged all nations, leaders, governments, businesses and all people with good intentions to join this struggle.
     
    He also called for help and support for the elderly, refugees and young people forced into the sex trade, and for the fight against the forced prostitution of women and children.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    US drone strike in Pakistan kills six militants

    US drone strike in Pakistan kills six militants
    A US drone attack in the North Waziristan tribal district of Pakistan Wednesday killed at least six suspected militants and injured three others....

    US drone strike in Pakistan kills six militants

    43 IS militants killed in clashes with Iraqi Kurds

    43 IS militants killed in clashes with Iraqi Kurds
    At least 43 members of the Islamic State (IS) Sunni radical group were killed in clashes with Peshmerga Kurdish troops near the strategic Mosul Dam...

    43 IS militants killed in clashes with Iraqi Kurds

    Inspired By NYC's High Line, Plans In The Works To Create Underground Park Called The Lowline

    Inspired By NYC's High Line, Plans In The Works To Create Underground Park Called The Lowline
    NEW YORK — Visitors from around the world are drawn to New York City's High Line, an elevated park built on defunct railroad tracks transformed into an urban sanctuary of flowers, grasses and trees.

    Inspired By NYC's High Line, Plans In The Works To Create Underground Park Called The Lowline

    White House Lets Public Choose Which Gobbler Obama Pardons For Thanksgiving: Mac Or Cheese?

    White House Lets Public Choose Which Gobbler Obama Pardons For Thanksgiving: Mac Or Cheese?
    WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey, but which of two gobblers will get the presidential pass?

    White House Lets Public Choose Which Gobbler Obama Pardons For Thanksgiving: Mac Or Cheese?

    When Nawaz Sharif Walks For Speech, Modi Reads Newspaper

    When Nawaz Sharif Walks For Speech, Modi Reads Newspaper
    The frostiness of ties between India and Pakistan was visible in the Nepalese capital at the 18th Saarc Summit's inaugural session Wednesday.

    When Nawaz Sharif Walks For Speech, Modi Reads Newspaper

    Seattle Mayor Pardons Tofu Turkey For Thanksgiving To Draw Attention To Hunger In Community

    Seattle Mayor Pardons Tofu Turkey For Thanksgiving To Draw Attention To Hunger In Community
    Spokesman Jason Kelly says Murray posed with the tofu turkey at City Hall to draw attention to hunger in the community. It will be donated to Rainier Valley Food Bank.

    Seattle Mayor Pardons Tofu Turkey For Thanksgiving To Draw Attention To Hunger In Community