Human trafficking |29 August 2015

A Biblical reflection by the Anglican Diocese of Seychelles

Lately, we have been hearing from many sources that there have been problems linked with human trafficking in the Seychelles and that we might still have people dealing with that ill today. As your spiritual leader I wish to share with you the biblical point of view on human trafficking. May the Lord bless you as you read or hear this pastoral letter.

My dear fellow pilgrims on our earthly journey, God created humanity in His own image and likeness. The mission of the Anglican Diocese of Seychelles is to stand by the side of the vulnerable, marginalised and the voiceless in our society.

Human trafficking is a crime against humanity and needs to be addressed accordingly.

Human trafficking is an immoral practice and modern day slavery that is dehumanising, commodifying and stripping of persons God given human dignity. It is a process that involves people being recruited in the country of origin, abused and exploited in the transit and destination countries.

The main victims of human trafficking are women, children and youth. Although reliable global and national data are limited, it is believed that the number of victims of human trafficking has reached epidemic proportions. The national and local community - including religious leaders, family members, friends, etc. - seems to be ignorant, complacent or passive to act against this phenomenon. In comparison to the magnitude of the problem, the response that is given has not been adequate to tackle it.

This following biblical reflection is based on Genesis 37: 26-36. What we can draw from this message are the following main elements:

The theme is: “How are you dealing with your brother or your sister?”

When we pray to God as our common Father, in spite of our diversities, we affirm that we are brothers and sisters.

1. The context of the story

According to the text, Joseph was 17 years old when his father associated him with the work of a shepherd. He was a teenager, to whom the work of an adult was requested. But before the occurrence of the sad event, there were some telltale signs, his father should have been watchful about. The text mentions some signs, such as:

a) Joseph’s brothers were jealous of Joseph, who was particularly loved by his father.

b) Joseph used to report to his father Jacob what his brothers said.

c) His visionary dreams only increased their jealousy towards him.

In that atmosphere of hatred, Jacob dares sending Joseph to his brothers, even if he is doing it genuinely. Unfortunately, the occasion was appropriate for the jealous brothers to get rid of him and they had the following options:

a) Let’s kill him and throw him in a cistern and thus kill his dreams.

b) Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, had mercy on him and looked for alternatives to rescue him.

c) The other brothers stripped him of his robe and threw him in a cistern that was empty.

d) During their meal, a caravan of Ishmaelites was heading towards Egypt. Judah (who is not the Iscariot one) suggested selling him, because he was their brother, their flesh.

The deal is sealed and Joseph is sold to the descendants of Ishmael for 20 shekels, the equivalent of about 20 dollars, slightly more than the price received for Jesus 20 centuries later by another Judas.

2. Joseph, as well as our brothers and sisters, subject to human trafficking

Let’s remember the basis of the trafficking of one of the most important characters in biblical history, Joseph, and let’s have the courage to ask ourselves some questions:

a) Do we not fall into the mistakes of “double standards”, which are the root cause of what happened to Joseph? How do we treat the youth in our religious communities? Do we show them our availability to treat them fairly and equitably, as long as it depends on us? Joseph’s brothers were angry against him. Why does Daddy Jacob act as if everything was fine?

b) The plot against Joseph is conceived by his brothers who sold him, thus exposing him to potential death, except that he would not die in front of them. “How are you dealing with your brother or your sister, when he is faced with danger of death?” How much do we sell our brothers and sisters (even through our words) to people passing by, who deal with them as they please and we don’t bother to know what would happen to them? In Joseph’s case, God was generous to make of him a great man later in life. But do we know how many of our brothers and sisters are sold or killed because of their organs? Do we know how many of the people we contribute money for, for them to be able to go out of their country, become prostitutes and delinquents? Fortunately, a lot of them, just like Joseph, are able to make it, by God’s grace. But does the fate of the others not challenge us?

May Joseph’s situation trigger our communities to take charge in the prevention of situations which can lead our brothers and sisters to go sell themselves for the sake of dreams, which can later turn into nightmares.

As a church in the Seychelles, we are sending the following message to our communities and concerned bodies:

- Encourage all stakeholders to have open discussions on the issues of human trafficking at all levels of their communities;

 - Call on our co-religious and political leaders to take appropriate measures that are needed for the protection of vulnerable groups and human dignity;

- Mobilise stakeholders to be united, collaborate and work together to eradicate and prevent the vice of human trafficking;

- Integrate economic empowerment and human development trainings in our response to human trafficking;

- Urge governments to protect vulnerable groups, tackle the problem of human trafficking from a regional, continental and global perspective through partnering with other countries whether source, transit or destination, as well as developing economic activities for the communities.

As believers in the God of life, we urge all our members and all our partners to support us in creating awareness and participating in activities that can prevent human trafficking protect victims and become a source of hope to those who have been rescued by helping to re-integrate them in the communities and providing moral support.

May the God of life preserve us from these kinds of situation, so that we can become agents who fight seriously against human trafficking in all its forms.

Stay blessed, Together for His glory,