Malaysian faith leaders sign anti-trafficking pledge

KUALA LUMPUR – Ten leaders from different religions in Malaysia have signed an Inter-Faith Joint Declaration against Human Trafficking, in an event hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese on 30 July 2017.

The faith leaders jointly declared that, “every girl, boy, woman and man is a free person, and all exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity. That people are trafficked and exploited physically, economically, sexually and psychologically for the profit, benefit and pleasure of others goes against the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity.”

Signatories included Venerable Sing Kan of the Malaysian Buddhist Association, Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, CM Kopalan of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim of Kuala Lumpur.

The faith leaders were also the first to light up the virtual Tree of Hope, treesofhope.info, a website created to encourage people to take concrete action against human trafficking.

Also present to witness the signing of the declaration were Cardinal Soter Fernandez, Retired Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam and Datin Paduka Mother A Mangalam.

The joint declaration, held on the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons, was an initiative spearheaded by Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese in collaboration with the Conference of Religious Major Superiors Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei.

“This joint declaration is just our first step,” said Archbishop Leow.

“People of faith must play their part in the fight against human trafficking, and I ask everyone to consider what each of us can do. It may be something as simple as talking about the issue with our friends, or learning how to spot a possible victim,” he said.

“On a broader level, the various religious groups can share resources on anti-human trafficking activities,” he added. – ucanews.com