World

Mexico Leads Way Against Human Trafficking - Blue Heart Campaign

by Barbara McPherson | April 18, 2010 at 09:28 am

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Mexico is the first country to sign on to the UN "Blue Heart" campaign to fight human trafficking. Mexican President Felipe Calderon in conjunction with Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime launched the Blue Heart campaign in Mexico City. The Blue Heart campaign seeks to make all members of society aware and guard against the modern day slavers.

Much more must be done to prevent people from falling into the claws of these human predators, to bring these vultures to justice, and to protect the survivors," said Mr. Costa. "This is not just the responsibility of governments. Human trafficking is a crime that shames us all. Since almost everything we consume has been stained by the blood, sweat and tears of trafficking victims, we have a shared responsibility to act - that is why we are calling on people to join the "Blue Heart" campaign," said the head of UNODC.

Who is vulnerable to enslavement?

children, particularly girls are sold or kidnapped and used as sex slaves for pedophiles.
teen aged girls may be tricked into leaving home and then sold into prostitution.
young men can become victims of slavers when they seek to leave economically depressed areas in Central America and Mexico for the US. They are forced to work for little or no pay.
sweat shops need a continuing supply of low or no paid workers to produce cheap consumer goods. Many domestic workers are in servitude.
healthy young people may be captured and have their marketable organs removed for sale.

Most Favored Destination for Mexican Slaves
The US is the biggest market for slaves from Mexico. While many remain within Mexico, the US is a big importer of slaves. Most of the slavery is for sexual purposes. Libertad Latina illustrated the horror of child rape camps in San Diego County, California and called for American society to unite to bring an end to the slavery.

To accomplish an end to such trafficking, cross-cultural compassion and an end to anti-immigrant hostility in U.S. society will have to take place. Otherwise, such hostility and apathy will allow traffickers to continue their criminal violence against these victimized women and children with impunity.