AACC STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. 30TH JULY 2023

In recent years, the issue of migration has become of particular concern to all countries; be it country of origin, transit, or destination. Several Migrants undergoing various unfortunate, and painful circumstances that undermine their God-given human rights and dignity.  Churches are called to play constructive prophetic and diaconal roles in addressing the plight of migrants and in addressing irregular migration and human trafficking. This however, can only be tackled if we all join hands and combine efforts to ensure that the dignity of migrants is respected. Hence, in its quest to promote the respect of human dignity, the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) is aligning itself with the United Nations' theme for this year’s International Day against trafficking in persons; “REACH EVERY VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND”. 

The AACC acknowledges and appreciates the work that churches and all stakeholders engaged in addressing the plight of migrants are doing.  We commend all Ecumenical and interfaith actions aiming at creating awareness about irregular migration and its dangers, promoting the protection of the rights of migrants, advocating for the reintegration of returnees and survivors of human trafficking, and lobbying for the development and implementation of policies that protect hu, beings from human trafficking. We emphasize that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God with rights and dignity that must be respected. 

Africa is our home and future and we call upon African countries to work towards the realization of the African Union Agenda 2063 given its potential of minimizing cases of irregular migration within the African Continent and between the continent and other parts of the world.