Poverty, gender inequality and vulnerability, key factors in human trafficking

Poverty feeds the vulnerability of persons to trafficking, as does pervasive gender inequality, according to Dr Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

She added that abduction, violence, deception and fraud are means by which the vulnerable are drawn into the illegal trade in humans, for which the risk of detection and punishment remain too low.

Dr Sen, who will be addressing the audience at the Abandoning Silence concert at the Cadogan Hall in London, UK, on 29 September 2010, pointed out that people trafficking affects all countries, including Commonwealth states, be they destination, transit or source countries.

The concert will see 80 young musicians from around the world taking centre stage in their call for awareness and action to put a stop to human trafficking. The musicians from the International Orchestra for Freedom under conductor William Kunhardt will both entertain and enlighten the audience during an evening of classical music. The concert will feature the world premiere of Julene Siddique’s Prayer for Humanity, a symphonic narration of the struggle for human rights and universal moral values. The composition is an innovative attempt to use the power of music and verse to depict the inner turmoil and physical suffering of the victims of trafficking and the moral conscience of society.

Human trafficking includes people abducted across borders for domestic slavery or working in sweat shops, for forced begging, the sex trade, organ trafficking, child brides and soldiers, and other criminal activities.

“I hope the concert will uplift hearts and minds, and give inspiration to the audience to abandon their silence in favour of action – so that together we can work to eradicate this scourge that has afflicted grave damage to individuals, communities and human rights," said Dr Sen.

“I am happy to be able to stand alongside the International Orchestra for Freedom to highlight the many ways in which trafficking abuses our shared humanity and the rights of too many, and to promote a shared understanding that more needs to be done to protect those whose rights are violated, and to punish those who violate. Music is one of many ways through which we can connect, and I am delighted to be part of this initiative that combines pleasure with serious purpose,” she added.

The Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 'Pathetique', a haunting and heart-rending composition that is also passionate and inspirational, said its Artistic Director Jordan Bergmans, who is also the Principal Violist.

Ms Bergmans, a French national, will be joined on stage by talented young musicians from the UK, China, Russia, India, Japan, Australia, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Korea, Spain and Belgium, in an event organised by the Human Culture Collective.

The concert will also showcase British cellist Thomas Carroll performing Friedrich Gulda’s Cello Concerto, a jazz infused musical composition.

“Human trafficking is a pressing issue that is getting out of control, just like the drug trade,” said Euan Rafferty, Co-Founder of the Human Culture Collective, which promotes awareness and advocacy of global issues through cultural events.

“Human trafficking has grown into a globalised crime which requires an internationally united front to stop it,” emphasised Mr Rafferty. “We need to develop a coalition among individuals, groups, companies, civil society and governments to put an end to this despicable activity, and to bring about positive change.”

Mr Rafferty underscored the need to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of human trafficking by rallying individuals, artists, civil society, governments and the general public to increase their vigilance, detection, legislation and penalties to quash this trafficking of people, mainly of the vulnerable.

“We are working with religious and humanitarian organisations on a sanctuary project to be launched in London where victims of trafficking can seek information from religious and community centres. Here, they can be directed to established shelters where they can seek assistance and protection. We hope to raise funds to build sanctuaries where the victims can be temporarily housed,” he said.

Abandoning Silence is supported by Stop the Traffik, Amnesty International, the International Justice Mission, Dance4Life, the A21 Campaign and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Tickets priced at £8, £12, £15, £20 and £25 can be bought from the Cadogan Hall at Tel: 020 7730 4500 or online at http://www.cadoganhall.com/showpage.php?pid=1359.

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