Roma (AsiaNews) – The FIFA World Cup “could lead to new forms of slavery with people forced to work for little money, not to mention the sex trade. Human trafficking should not be allowed,” said Salesian Mother Bernadette Sangma. Born in a Tribal community in the Indian state of Meghalaya, she now works for an international anti-slavery network made up of women religious.
According to her, the great sporting event “adds problems to a country, already at the centre of various types of criminal activities. The world must know the risks of this reality, and do everything it can to prevent. Our fellow sisters working on the ground have already denounced the terrible working conditions of those who built the stadiums and other facilities associated with the World Cup.”
One major problem for Sister Sangma is “represented by South Africa’s borders, which are extremely porous. People come and go without controls, and this has often left the door open to disappearances and unlawful trafficking, according to the International Organisation for Migration. And there are signs that the situation has considerably worsened.”
In order to limit the harm done, the nuns’ network has produced a series of information capsules, which it sent to various media.
“Especially children must know what they risk during this event. We shall do all we can to stop trafficking.”
