Alive, Free and with Rights

🕯️In commemoration of International Human Rights Day - 10D

On this 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the Human Rights, we raise our voices to denounce that trafficking in human beings continues to be a profound violation of human dignity, sustained by the patriarchal, colonial and capitalist system that violates and exploits bodies, especially for the most vulnerable women and girls.

We recognise that trafficking in persons, in its various manifestations - including sexual, domestic, and other forms of modern slavery - constitutes a grave violation of human rights. These violences disproportionately affect women, girls and LGBTIQ+ people, aggravated by structural inequalities, gender discrimination, racism, migration, the fortification of borders and the persistent feminisation of poverty.

We understand that gender inequality and structural violence are aggravating factors for the trafficking of women and girls, and we demand comprehensive policies that address these causes, through prevention, protection and assistance measures with an intersectional and gender approach. We reaffirm that it is essential that European countries allocate funds and promote a systemic approach with migration regularisation actions and measures that contribute to the comprehensive security of victims of trafficking, in addition to avoiding revictimising and unwarranted processes.

We recognise and honour the tireless work of feminist and anti-racist organisations that, for decades, have been fighting to eradicate human trafficking and different forms of exploitation. These organisations - many of them made up of women, migrants and racialised people - have sustained the defence of human rights even in adverse contexts, accompanying victims with an intersectional perspective, denouncing invisible violence and generating networks of support and care. Their work, based on social justice, has been and continues to be fundamental in making this violence visible, promoting transformative public policies and guaranteeing close accompaniment and care for victims of trafficking.

At Calala, we reaffirm that it is essential to strengthen organisations through flexible financial resources, institutional recognition and community support, so that they can continue their prevention work,
accompaniment and denunciation. Empowering feminist and anti-racist organisations not only protects victims of trafficking, but also strengthens the capacity of our societies to address trafficking in a structural way.

We will continue, together with feminist and anti-racist organisations, to build a future where women and girls live in dignity, security and autonomy. A future where human rights are a reality for all,

every day.👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏾