PRESS RELEASES

Daniel Bedingfield Launches Global Coalition

Daniel Bedingfield Launches Global Coalition to:

• Expose People Trafficking To The World
• Lead Governments To Action
• Unlock Freedom

Human trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are forced into slavery and is the third largest source of income for organised crime, exceeded only by drugs and arms trafficking. 

STOP THE TRAFFIK is a major global coalition of organisations, networks and community groups whose goal is to demand freedom for every human caught in trafficking around the world, with a particular focus on children and young people. Officially launched at the European Parliament in Brussels on March 21st by singer Daniel Bedingfield and STOP THE TRAFFIK Chair Steve Chalke, it will culminate on March 25th 2007, the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

According to Bedingfield

“The conviction that freedom is a human right drove Clarkson, Wilberforce, Equiano and the other 19th century abolitionists towards their goal. This same conviction drives the STOP THE TRAFFIK coalition at the beginning of the 21st century.” 

Chalke added that

“We’ve renamed March 25th 2007 ‘Freedom Day’ - not so much as a celebration of history as a drawing of inspiration from the champions of the past for the challenge of the future, as we fight for freedom from the bondage of trafficking for every human being.”

Simon Coveney MEP said:

"In the same way that the 'Make Poverty History' campaign successfully raised the issue of debt relief, fair trade and development aid, I hope that 'Stop The Traffik' will raise awareness about the trafficking in human beings and in particular forced child prostitution. The 'Stop The Traffik' campaign will be of benefit to those who are trafficked, as well as to those of us who want to put an end to this horrific exploitation."

STOP THE TRAFFIK founding members include Amnesty International, Christian Aid, World Vision, Walden Media, TearFund, The Church Of England, Global Angels, Oasis Trust and many more.

Plans are underway to hold major ‘Freedom Day’ music festivals in London and New York. However, at the heart of Freedom Day will be tens of thousands of local events organised by coalition members and supporters whether individuals, local charities, schools, clubs and churches in town and cities around the world.

Central to the campaign the STOP THE TRAFFIK Declaration will be signed by millions of people around the world and delivered to the Secretary General of the United Nations, with copies to the respective heads of state, following Freedom Day:

People trafficking is wrong,
Please STOP THE TRAFFIK:

1Prevent the sale of people
2Prosecute the traffickers
3 Protect the victims

STOP THE TRAFFIK is also planning to raise funds to support a wide number of projects working with those rescued from trafficking, with a particular focus on children and young people (e.g. safe houses, health care, education, vocational training and legal support), as well as preventative initiatives for those vulnerable to trafficking around the world.

Steve Chalke said

“STOP THE TRAFFIK’s goal is to build a broad global coalition of schools, charities, community groups, clubs, faith groups and businesses. We want draw attention to organisations already working in the field of human trafficking and compliment their efforts through creating a bigger public platform than any of us could do individually.”

Membership of STOP THE TRAFFIK is free and open to schools, charities, youth groups, clubs, business, faith groups and community groups. Get involved by: 

• Getting as many people as you can to sign the STOP THE TRAFFIK Declaration.
• Launching your own STOP THE TRAFFIK fundraising initiative. STOP THE TRAFFIK will support a wide number of projects working with those rescued from trafficking (e.g. safe houses, health care, education, vocational training and legal support), as well as preventative initiatives for those vulnerable to trafficking from around the world.
• Sell a stock of ‘Freedom Keys’, STOP THE TRAFFIK’s wearable symbolic campaign keys.
• Download the STOP THE TRAFFIK action pack, filled with practical ideas for schools, youth and community group projects and launching your own local ‘Freedom Day’ event.

[<< back]