Religion plays a key role in directing human behavior. It is a source of values that are important for peaceful coexistence in the society (Ferree 7). It is the foundation of morality in the society. Social morality obliges individuals to take responsibility in caring for the common good of every individual in society (Ferree 7). It is the duty of every individual to respect laws and rules put in place for an orderly existence of humanity. For a society to function well, every institution in the society should advocate for human dignity and the well-being of all individuals (Ferree 7). Morality brings happiness, and the source of morality originates from an individual conscience. Also, morality denotes our free actions, and it’s an individual choice to be good or bad (Ferree 7). There has been a rampant rise in social injustices and violation of humanity virtues across the globe. Humanity has lost its humane and compassionate side leading to individuals treating each other as objects. The world is currently faced with some moral and social injustices that cut across social, economical and environmental aspects. This essay discusses human trafficking as a moral and social injustice facing the current society and its relation to morality concepts and the principles of the Catholic social teachings.
Human trafficking involves moving a person from their native home and taking them to a new place against their wish with the motive of exploiting them. Victims are normally exploited regarding sex, forced labor, servitude, slavery or organs removal (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 1). It is perpetuated by force, coercion and deception. Human trafficking also involves paying or receiving benefits for the purpose of achieving consent of a person to control and exploit them (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 1). Most countries in the world are affected by trafficking; a country may be the origin of victims, transit channel or the victims’ destination (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 1). Victims of human trafficking have different backgrounds in terms of nationality, age, education and socioeconomic status but they all share a vulnerability characteristic (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 1) . They are often isolated from their country of origin, social networks, families, culture and social networks. Trafficker always confiscate victims’ documents making it hard for the victims report abuses to the authorities for fear of arrest and other reprisals(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes 1).
The insensitive practice of human trafficking is shown in Maxim Tucker news article on Sex, lies, and psychological scars: inside Ukraine's human trafficking crisis posted on the Guardian news web. The article narrates the human trafficking experience and trauma of two Ukrainian women. Unemployment in Ukraine led the two women to accept a job offer in Moscow (Tucker 1). Ukraine’s economy is suffering as a result of conflict with Russia and government mismanagement. Since the country’s independence, human trafficking has been rampant in Ukraine with an estimate of more than 160,000 people having been trafficked from their homes (Tucker 1).
On arrival in Moscow, their identity documents were taken away marking the beginning of torture. They were underfed, beaten, sexually harassed and forced to serve as domestic servants and to beg on streets taking the proceeds to their masters (Tucker 1). Victims were deceived into traveling without valid documents ending up trapped in debt bondage living like slaves (Tucker 1). They were stopped from leaving employment through intimidation and violence (Tucker 1). Together with other survivors of human trafficking they sort refuge at a rehabilitation center where Maxim gets insight from the administrator regarding the patients’ scars (Tucker 1). Most of the patients came from the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Ukrainian society (Tucker 1). Some patients were victims of war-torn cities who fell prey in the hands of human traffickers (Tucker 1). The patients were treated for depression, physical scars, malnourishment and sexually transmitted diseases (Tucker 1). The practice of human trafficking is retrogressive and dehumanizing and causes sufferings to those subjected to it. This moral issue calls for the consideration of morality in the society.
Some of the concepts on which morality is based on are conscience and sin. Every human being is created with a conscience that is present at the heart of an individual. Conscience is a person’s judgment of reason that helps one to distinguish between wrong and right and directing their actions (Karnes 1). Using another person as an object goes against the principle of goodness for all and human dignity. A prudent man should listen to their inner voice that bears witness to goodness and truth for them to uphold their dignity and that of other people (Karnes 1). Conscience enables one to take responsibility for their actions. If a man acts immorally, the just their conscience judges them as a universal truth witness promoting mercy and hope (Karnes 1). Human traffickers should apply their Conscience to discern reason and good by God’s divine laws (Karnes 1). They should refer to the golden rule: “Whatever you wish done to you by others, do so to them” (Karnes 1).
It is a sin to dehumanize, kill, harm or discriminate a fellow being for material gains as it is the motive of human trafficking. Sin is an inbuilt concept of conscience that dictates morality. The deception and coercion that characterizes human trafficking are contrary to God’s commandments (Karnes 1). This kind of sin against humanity is a moral sin that deprives them the opportunities to reach their full life potential by lowering the victim's self-esteem and depreciating their health. Sin causes suffering and nothing good can come out of social injustices perpetuated on vulnerable societies, on the contrary, it is retrogressive (Karnes 1).
Also, human trafficking undermines the principles of the Catholic social teachings; human dignity and rights and responsibilities (New York State Catholic Conference 1). The principal of human dignity advocates for people to be treated with respect and love (New York State Catholic Conference 1). The man is created in the likeness of God and is born with dignity which society should respect. Human dignity is sacred and invaluable therefore every member of the society deserves respect irrespective of their status or vulnerability (New York State Catholic Conference 1). Human trafficking contravenes this principle through its demining acts. Victims of human trafficking face discrimination by their status quo and vulnerability. The victims are made to feel less of human beings this treatment strips them off their dignity.
The second Catholic social teachings principle undermined by human trafficking is the principle of rights and responsibility (New York State Catholic Conference 1). Every person has fundamental rights that promote their quality of life. All people have a right to life and to secure the necessities of life (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, safe environment, and economic security) (New York State Catholic Conference 1). These human rights should be protected, and all individuals have a duty to one another and the society as a whole (New York State Catholic Conference 1). Nations should strive to protect and provide for its citizen's fundamental rights in addition to rejecting unjust policies that threaten human life (New York State Catholic Conference 1). From the Ukrainian example, life adversities like lack of basic needs, wars, and economic crises leave the citizens vulnerable and prone to human trafficking. According to the Catholic social teachings, when human dignity is protected, communities are healthy and able to reach their full potential in all aspects of life (New York State Catholic Conference 1). Policies prohibiting human trafficking should be strictly enforced to deal with this menace. The church should complement efforts of bodies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which acts as a guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) assisting nations in the implementation of protocols that condemn human trafficking.
Work Cited
Ferree, Rev. William J. Introduction to Social Justice. 2nd ed. Arlington: Center for Economic and Social Justice and Social Justice Review of the Central Bureau, CCVA, 1997. Print.
http://dogmadebate.com/bloggers/dustin/2014/08/the-morality-of-sin/
Karnes, Dustin. "The Morality of Sin". Dogma Debate. N.p., 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
New York State Catholic Conference, "Pursuing Justice: Catholic Social Teaching and Issues In Contemporary Society | New York State Catholic Conference." Nyscatholic.org. N.p., 2012. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
Tucker, Maxim. "Sex, Lies and Psychological Scars: Inside Ukraine's Human Trafficking Crisis | Maxim Tucker." The Guardian. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, "What is Human Trafficking?". Unodc.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Apr. 2016.
