Anglicans met this week within the Diocese of Durgapur in north India for a conference aimed toward tackling human trafficking and slavery. The conference was run by the diocese at the side of missionary organisation United Society Partners within the Gospel (USPG).
The Diocese of Durgapur has been praised for its long running anti-trafficking programme, which is operated in partnership with USPG.
It is estimated that almost 50 million people around the globe reside in a form of contemporary slavery, of those, 11 million are estimated to live in India, making the country the slavery capital of the world.
Criminal profits generated from forced labour are estimated to be at around £185 billion per yr across the globe.
The Rev Canon Dr Peniel Rajkumar, Global Theologian and Director of Global Mission at USPG, said, “These usually are not distant statistics: they’re real people created in God’s image, with inherent price, dignity, and value, no matter status or circumstance. Because of this, the Church cannot remain passive.
“As Christians, we’re called to reply: to ‘let the oppressed go free’ (Isaiah 58:6), to ‘seek justice, rescue the oppressed’ (Isaiah 1:17), and to proclaim ‘freedom for the captives’ (Luke 4:18).”
The conference drew around 50 participants from different countries, professions and backgrounds across the Anglican Communion worldwide.
Delegates also took part in a field visit to Durgapur’s anti-trafficking programme and met with those that operate it to achieve insights into methods to defeat modern slavery.
The Rt Rev Sameer Isaac Khimla, Bishop of Durgapur, said, “Human trafficking continues to be considered one of the darkest realities of our time, affecting thousands and thousands, stripping individuals of their identity, freedom, and hope. As a Church and as a community rooted in faith and compassion, we cannot stand by in silence”.
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