CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 - 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT 2QH
Tel Belfast: (028) 90 232 909
Press Officer Brian Parker (M): 07775 927 807
PRESS RELEASE
11 May 2004
TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN SHAMES EUROPE’S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD
Trafficking in women is one of the most dramatic human rights
violations in Europe, said Ms Andrea Wills, speaking today at the
Church of Ireland General Synod in Armagh.
Referring to the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe report
entitled ‘Action and networking against Trafficking in Women’ which
was presented to the European Parliament in Brussels, Ms Wills,
from the Diocese of Tuam said: “Young women in Eastern European
countries are being tricked by promises of better lifestyles in
countries like Sweden and Germany where they end up with no identities
and being used as prostitutes.”
Commenting on the new enlarged European Union, Ms Wills continued: “The
integration of refugees in Ireland is a two-way street and inclusive
of both communities, host and guest.
“If host and guest are more informed about each other’s
cultures, perhaps real integration and not assimilation can begin.
We must learn about Christianity and what it means to those who
are ethnically different to ourselves. A vision of racial harmony
is needed.”
“More Eastern Europeans will come to our shores. There will
be even more scope for welcoming policies in our churches. Where
all accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, we should experience
a real community with cultural diversity.”
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