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

    Obama defends his immigration reform plan

    Obama defends his immigration reform plan
    US President Barack Obama has defended his immigration reform plans, which could protect five million undocumented immigrants from deportation....

    Obama defends his immigration reform plan

    Sharif urges Obama to take up Kashmir issue with India

    Sharif urges Obama to take up Kashmir issue with India
    US President Barack Obama spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over telephone Friday and urged him to take up the Kashmir issue with India....

    Sharif urges Obama to take up Kashmir issue with India

    Obama's immigration plan falls short of Indian techies' hopes

    Obama's immigration plan falls short of Indian techies' hopes
    As President Barack Obama camapaigned to sell his immigration plan to shield up to five million people from deportation and retain high-skilled immigrants...

    Obama's immigration plan falls short of Indian techies' hopes

    Obama Set To Be Chief Guest At India's Republic Day Celebrations

    Obama Set To Be Chief Guest At India's Republic Day Celebrations
    Signifying a renewal of the India-US strategic partnership, President Barack Obama has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to join...

    Obama Set To Be Chief Guest At India's Republic Day Celebrations

    India wants to energise trade ties with EU

    India wants to energise trade ties with EU
    Indian Ambassador to the European Union (EU) and Belgium Manjeev Singh Puri has called for energising EU-India trade and economic relations....

    India wants to energise trade ties with EU

    IS launches major offensive against Iraqi city

    IS launches major offensive against Iraqi city
    The Islamic State (IS) Sunni radical group launched a large-scale offensive Friday on the Iraqi city of Ramadi, the capital of strife-torn Anbar province...

    IS launches major offensive against Iraqi city