This NTD France interview with H.E. Michel Veuthey, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s Ambassador in the fight against human trafficking, tackles the issue of human trafficking. Currently President of the Collège Universitaire Henry Dunant Foundation, which fights trafficking, Michel Veuthey spoke to us about this modern form of slavery that affects 50 million people worldwide and generates 236 billion dollars in illicit profits a year. Human trafficking includes forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced marriages, forced crime and organ trafficking. This global scourge affects all countries, including Switzerland. To combat this phenomenon, Professor Veuthey and his foundation have organised 41 webinars (Watch the Foundation’s webinars here: https: //l.ntdtv.fr/AdLaudatoSi) to raise awareness and educate people about human trafficking. These webinars, broadcast in several languages, have reached an international audience. Ambassador Veuthey stresses the importance of training professionals, such as police officers and doctors, to identify and protect victims.
Testimonies from survivors are essential to understanding and combating the scourge. Ambassador Veuthey stresses the importance of giving a voice to survivors, who are first-hand experts with the potential to help train professionals and raise public awareness. He also mentions the difficulty of eradicating trafficking because of the impunity of traffickers and the legal and logistical challenges. The expert also highlights the spiritual dimension of his fight, stressing the need for prayer and restorative justice to reconcile victims and perpetrators. Respect for the dignity of man and his fundamental nature, described as divine, is crucial to changing behaviour and putting an end to human trafficking.