Greens oppose Human trafficking



OTTAWA - The Green Party applauds the initiative of the group PACT (Persons Against the Crime of Trafficking in Humans) in our capital for rallying against human trafficking. “The trafficking of human beings is an affront to all human beings. As expressed so aptly in the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the human family has the right to freedom and dignity. The contempt for human rights leads to barbarous acts”, said Joe Foster, Human Rights Critic for the Green Party of Canada.

PACT-Ottawa was formed in 2004, to raise social awareness. At present, international crime syndicates are creating a situation of grave dimensions worldwide. According to the UN Technical Director for Migration and Trafficking, there is an estimated two million persons trafficked into prostitution, domestic service, or other forms of forced labour each year. Despite national laws and international treaties against trafficking, the problem continues to grow. PACT aims to raise consciousness and mobilize local community support to end trafficking in the context of trade globalization.

There are presently three private member bills in Parliament designed to strengthen laws that penalize trafficking and to protect victims. These have been in process for nearly two years. Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, stated, “I will press to see these bills passed expeditiously. The trafficking of women and children for profit is reprehensible to all of us.”

The Green Party of Canada was founded on the Global Green Charter which places a high priority on human rights and the respect of individuals and their freedom and dignity. Vision Green stresses action to promote the equality of women and recommends the re-institution of funding for the Status of Women and other organizations that fund non-profit women’s groups and advocate for women’s rights. Only through education and the promotion of the equality of women will this scourge be removed.

The Green Party urges all citizens to pressure their MPs to have Bills S-223, 268 and 269 passed into law as quickly as possible with appropriate support to make them effective.


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