TRAFFICKING PRAYER MAP - GREECE · • Greece is located at a strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia...
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TRAFFICKING PRAYER MAP - GREECE SNAPSHOT • Capital: Athens • Population: 10,820,200 (estimated) • Bordered by: Albania in the northwest, Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast. THE FACTS • Greece is a transit, destination and to a very limited extent a source country for sex trafficking of women and children and forced labour of men, women and children. • Greece is located at a strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. • Labour trafficking victims primarily enter Greece along irregular migration routes through the Middle East, South Asia, and through Turkey. • The refugee crisis, overwhelmed borders and lack of services have created an environment of high risk for trafficking. • In 2015, it was reported that 1,000 migrants a day crossed the Mediterranean Sea to the Greek islands in an effort to reach northern Europe. An estimated 157,000 refugees arrived in Greece by sea during July and August 2015. THE SITUATION • Victims of sex trafficking include women from Eastern Europe (including Bulgaria, Romania and Albania), Greece, Russia, Nigeria, and China. • Girls as young as 14 years have been forced into prostitution. • Children and men from Eastern and Southern Europe, South Asia and Africa comprise the majority of victims of forced labour. • Workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are vulnerable to debt bondage, reportedly in agriculture. • Some Romani children from Albania, Bulgaria and Romania are forced by family members to sell goods on the street, beg, or commit petty theft. • A reported 77,000 people, fleeing wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and Somalia, sailed to Greece in dangerous, overcrowded boats in the first half of 2015. • Over 3,400 people are believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe. • Many children have travelled unaccompanied to Greece – a reported 1,100 children were registered as unaccompanied in 2014 – and are particularly susceptible to exploitation. • In the midst of a financial crisis, Greece lacks the funds, services and infrastructure to ensure the protection of refugees and migrants. • In September 2015 an estimated 3,000-4,0000 refugees – the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq – were staying on the island of Kos, most unable to afford accommodation and sleeping in tents. • Some public officials have been investigated for suspected involvement in human trafficking. • The Government of Greece does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking however is making efforts to do so. • In 2014 the government convicted fewer traffickers (31) and prosecuted fewer suspects compared to the previous reporting period (46 convictions in 2013). Police identified fewer trafficking victims and the government failed to make all victim services authorized by law readily accessible to victims. SOURCES: 1. New Internationalist (2016) The tragedy of young migrants in austerity-hit Greece, 30 July 2015. Available: http://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2015/07/30/world-day-against-trafficking-migrants-austerity-greece/ 2. The A21 Campaign (2014) Freedom report: A year in review. Available: http://www.a21.org/campaigns/content/freedom-report/gl9y7t 3. Amnesty International (2016) Greece: Refugees attacked and in ‘hellish conditions’ on Kos, 4 September 2015. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/greece-refugees-attacked-and-in-hellish-conditions-on-kos/ 4. Amnesty International (2016) Human rights facts and figures for 2014 [webpage]Available: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/annual-report-201415-facts-and-figures/ 5. US Department of State (2015) Trafficking in Persons Report 2015 pp169-170. Available: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/245365.pdf GOOD REPORT In 2014 the A21 Campaign saw a 175% increase in tips coming through the national hotline operating throughout Greece to assist trafficking victims. They assisted 87 victims of trafficking and 91% of assisted survivors progressed into their transition program.
Transcript of TRAFFICKING PRAYER MAP - GREECE · • Greece is located at a strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia...
TRAFFICKING PRAYER MAP - GREECESNAPSHOT• Capital: Athens • Population: 10,820,200 (estimated)• Bordered by: Albania in the northwest, Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the
northeast.THE FACTS• Greece is a transit, destination and to a very limited extent a source country for sex trafficking of women and
children and forced labour of men, women and children. • Greece is located at a strategic crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. • Labour trafficking victims primarily enter Greece along irregular migration routes through the Middle East,
South Asia, and through Turkey. • The refugee crisis, overwhelmed borders and lack of services have created an environment of high risk for
trafficking. • In 2015, it was reported that 1,000 migrants a day crossed the Mediterranean Sea to the Greek islands in an
effort to reach northern Europe. An estimated 157,000 refugees arrived in Greece by sea during July and August 2015.
THE SITUATION• Victims of sex trafficking include women from Eastern Europe (including
Bulgaria, Romania and Albania), Greece, Russia, Nigeria, and China.• Girls as young as 14 years have been forced into prostitution.• Children and men from Eastern and Southern Europe, South Asia and Africa
comprise the majority of victims of forced labour.• Workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are vulnerable to debt
bondage, reportedly in agriculture. • Some Romani children from Albania, Bulgaria and Romania are forced by family
members to sell goods on the street, beg, or commit petty theft. • A reported 77,000 people, fleeing wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and
Somalia, sailed to Greece in dangerous, overcrowded boats in the first half of 2015.
• Over 3,400 people are believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe.
• Many children have travelled unaccompanied to Greece – a reported 1,100 children were registered as unaccompanied in 2014 – and are particularly susceptible to exploitation.
• In the midst of a financial crisis, Greece lacks the funds, services and infrastructure to ensure the protection of refugees and migrants.
• In September 2015 an estimated 3,000-4,0000 refugees – the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq – were staying on the island of Kos, most unable to afford accommodation and sleeping in tents.
• Some public officials have been investigated for suspected involvement in human trafficking.
• The Government of Greece does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking however is making efforts to do so.
• In 2014 the government convicted fewer traffickers (31) and prosecuted fewer suspects compared to the previous reporting period (46 convictions in 2013). Police identified fewer trafficking victims and the government failed to make all victim services authorized by law readily accessible to victims.
SOURCES:1. New Internationalist (2016) The tragedy of young migrants in austerity-hit Greece, 30 July 2015. Available: http://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2015/07/30/world-day-against-trafficking-migrants-austerity-greece/2. The A21 Campaign (2014) Freedom report: A year in review. Available: http://www.a21.org/campaigns/content/freedom-report/gl9y7t3. Amnesty International (2016) Greece: Refugees attacked and in ‘hellish conditions’ on Kos, 4 September 2015. Available: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/greece-refugees-attacked-and-in-hellish-conditions-on-kos/4. Amnesty International (2016) Human rights facts and figures for 2014 [webpage]Available: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/02/annual-report-201415-facts-and-figures/ 5. US Department of State (2015) Trafficking in Persons Report 2015 pp169-170. Available: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/245365.pdf
GOOD REPORTIn 2014 the A21 Campaign saw a 175% increase in tips coming through the national hotline operating throughout Greece to assist trafficking victims. They assisted 87 victims of trafficking and 91% of assisted survivors progressed into their transition program.
HOW DOES THIS WORK?Human Trafficking is the fastest growing global crime and the world has no easy answers or solutions. We believe that as we step out in prayer this year things will begin to shift in the heavenly realms and change will begin to happen in very tangible ways.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12 (NIV)
We are asking people to commit to praying for a particular country or a particular key border crossing/transit point throughout 2016 and join with others to pray against trafficking in that area.
The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 (AMP)
Prayer is not a last resort, the Bible says that prayer can change nations and heal lands. Prayer is a weapon that we can use to wage wars that look impossible in the natural.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
We believe that if as a sisterhood we focus our prayer together we will see results that we can only dream of!
”Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19 (NIV)
MORE INFORMATIONIf you would like more information about your country or border there are many resources available on the internet. We will also be updating the Colour Sisterhood website with any information that is relevant to your country as frequently as possible.www.thecoloursisterhood.com
WHAT DO I PRAY FOR?We are praying for all links in the trafficking chain—from the victims to the authorities involved in prosecution.
AT SPECIFIC BORDERS:PRAY FOR INSIDE KNOWLEDGEThe Authorities to have inside knowledge and be able to rescue potential victims before they are trafficked—at airports/ports/train stations.
PRAY FOR FAMILIES TO INTERVENEFor family members to stand up for the rights of children being sold into slavery.
PRAY FOR NETWORKS TO BE BROKENFor mobile phones to break down, for connections not to be made, for the public to see something is wrong and call for help.
PRAY AGAINST CORRUPTIONFor corruption within the border authorities to be ended and for righteous people to make a stand against this practice.
PRAY FOR RESOURCES FOR VICTIMSThat the work against sex trafficking victims remains constant and active, so that the victims may receive the necessary help.
IN GENERAL:FOR THE VICTIMSStrength & SalvationPs. 138, Is. 40:29, Lk. 19:10Protection, Freedom & JusticePs. 82:4, Ps. 103:6, Ps. 146:7Hope & HealingPs. 40:1-2, Jer. 30:17, Jer. 31:17
FOR THE TRAFFICKERSConviction, Repentance & SalvationIs. 55:7, Rom. 5:6-8, 2 Tim. 2:25Criminal Networks To DismantlePs. 7:9, Ps. 37:17, Ps. 37:20The Oppressors To Be Arrested & ProsecutedIs. 16:4, Jer. 22:3, Amos 5:15a
FOR THE CHURCHThe Church To PrevailIs. 60:1-2, Mt. 5:13-14, Mt. 16:18
CONTACT DETAILSAddress: c/o Hillsong Church PO BOX 1195 Castle Hill NSW 1765, Australia Phone: +61 2 8853 5353
Fax: +61 2 9899 4591 Email: [email protected] Web: thecoloursisterhood.com
