A minister, a priest and a rabbi . . .
“There are more people enslaved today than at any other point in human history.”
—Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Director of Education and Outreach, Rabbis for Human Rights North America
Could it really be true that there are more slaves now than in the 1700s, when it was an accepted part of the economy?
Didn’t we abolish slavery?
I thought so too, until I read the above statement in an article in The Huffington Post entitled, “Building Bridges of Freedom: The Interfaith Movement to End Slavery” by Rachel Kahn-Troster.
Just because a practice is illegal, does not mean it doesn’t exist.
According to Kahn-Troster, the problems of human trafficking, child soldiers, forced prostitution, debt labourers and indentured servants add up to between 12 and 27 million enslaved people around the world.
In the 1700s, the Quakers led the anti-slavery movement. Their quiet determination inspired others to join the abolitionist movement. Today a minister, a priest and a rabbi are working together to raise awareness of the issue.
And what can we do?
- Buy local goods.
- Buy fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate.
- Support organizations that encourage international development and protect human rights.