Today in the 21st Century, in an era of globalization, development and technology, one would think that the human race is advancing in the areas of freedom, peace and human dignity. Unfortunately this is not so. Last month in March 2007, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the ‘Abolition of the Slave Trade’, and yet there are more slaves TODAY than were seized from Africa in 4 centuries of trans-Atlantic slave trade. Buying a slave is cheaper than ever before.
According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, human trafficking between countries generates an estimated RM442 billion in annual revenue. It is closely connected with money laundering, drug trafficking, document forgery and human smuggling.
Trafficking in persons has become the world’s second most lucrative crime (NST Jan26th 2005). It is a modern day slavery involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labour or sexual exploitation. Annually 600,000-800,000 people are trafficked across international borders, with 80% of them being women and children. Victims of human trafficking pay a horrible price. Psychological and physical harm, including disease and stunted growth, often have permanent effects.
In short, the human person has become a commodity to be bought, sold, resold, used and discarded like a piece of tissue. It is a modern day slavery, the most dehumanizing crime and one of the gravest violation of human rights.
IS IT A MALAYSIAN CONCERN?
Malaysia is the largest destination country in Asia for migrant workers. It also has a very significant sex industry couched as entertainment centers, health centers and sports clubs where there are over 250,000 sex workers in the country. Thousands are cheated and brought into the country from neighbouring countries to work as bonded laborers. With aggressive tourism promotion, the problem will become bigger. Trafficking in persons is a growing concern.
Malaysia is celebrating 50 years of nationhood this year but what have we achieved in terms of human rights and justice? 50 years down the road, the slave trade has mushroomed and boomed. We still do not have proper laws for the protection and prevention of trafficking. There is not a single government shelter for trafficked victims, compared to 93 shelters in Thailand. Trafficking in persons in Malaysia has grown to be a multi-billion industry, becoming more and more clandestine, and bringing in children as young as 13 years, and even selling babies and ovum to infertile women. Is corruption a major factor for the increase and the lack of political will?
TENAGANITA, ‘Women’s force’, is a women, workers and migrant organization, actively involved in the rescue, protection and safe repatriation of trafficked victims. From May 2006- Dec 2006, we have provided shelter, care and protection for 56 victims (2 Malaysians and 54 from 8 different nationalities).
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is the mother organization of various Chinese community-based organizations in Klang Valley. It consists of four hundred over member organizations. The Civil Rights Committee and Women’s Section are KLSCAH’s subsidiary committees in which actively participating in civil rights movement and women activities.
Let us make Malaysia a Safe Place for Women and Children, come and find out more at our Seminar, entitled ‘Slavery in the 21st Century – Perspective of Trafficking in Persons’, jointly organized by the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) Civil Rights Committee and Women Section and TENAGANITA
Date ： 19th April 2007 (Thursday)
Time ： 8pm – 10pm
Venue ： KLSCAH, ground floor, 1 Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 KL (beside Monorail Stesen Maharajalela)
Speaker: Dr. Irene Fernandez (Director of TENAGANITA)
Ms. Wong Su Zane (Volunteer for Life Line Association Malaysia, social worker of Women’s Aid Organization (WAO))
Chair : Ms. Lee Sok Wah (President of Women Section, KLSCAH)
Languages : Mandarin and English (with Chinese and English subtitles and translation)
Any inquiry please contact Mr Chan, the assistant secretary of CRC-KLSCAH at 03-22746645. Thanks.
Ser Choon Ing
Chairperson
Civil Rights Committtee (CRC)
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
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