Indian Nun Warns Against Human Trafficking During FIFA 2010

ROME, May 14, 2010, 10:30 Hrs (CBCI News / C.M. Paul sdb):

FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held this summer will draw millions of soccer fans to South Africa. The activities happening off the field has Indian born Salesian Sister Bernadette Sangma tuned into the south African nation more than ever before.

“There’s a lot of demand, demand for different types of services, work in restaurants, hotels but also sexual services that will be very much veiled,” says Sr Sangma.

Sr Sangma, a Garo tribal from Meghalaya works at the international headquarters of the Salesian Sisters (FMA) in Rome, and is part of the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons or Talitha-Kum.

In a television interview at the Rome Reports Television interview, 12 May., Sr. Sangma said there is fear that the international sporting event can lead to an increase in human trafficking for sexual exploitation in a place that’s already considered a hub for that type of criminal activity.

The network has launched a campaign to get the word out about the danger of human trafficking. It is taking the message directly to the most vulnerable by reaching out to them in schools, youth centers, parishes and through newspaper and radio ads. It is sending out warnings across the continent and as far away as Thailand and Brazil.

“We are very much aware of the borders in South Africa, they are very porous, people can come in and out very easily without control so that can facilitate trafficking” warns Sister Sangma.

While it is difficult to measure just how serious the threat is, the International Organisation for Migration says anecdotal evidence suggests smugglers are stepping up their efforts.

“During the building of the stadium, for instance, our colleagues registered some cases of trafficking. They found the people who were being exploited and they found behind the exploitation was also case of trafficking,” said Mr Stefano Volpicelli of International Organization for Migration.