There is a growing awareness and a movement is building round the world to end the trafficking of people for profit. The United Nations has established July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and is encouraging all nations to join its blue-heart campaign to fight against trafficking's insidious inroads into every nation.
Whenever an article appears in the media about the plight of asylum seekers and asks for better treatment, you can expect an outpouring of scorn, racial discrimination and downright abuse from the public. When such blatant discrimination is combined with an ignorance of the facts, it is time for alarm.
The recent Court of Final Appeal judgment denying refugees and other claimants seeking protection a constitutional right to work beggars belief and common sense.
Two recent events involving refugees in Hong Kong illustrate the gap between the government's policy towards those seeking protection from persecution and the reality of the circumstances they face.