The Edo State government in Benin City, Nigeria is urging Italy and Germany to get strict with the laws in their respective countries on human trafficking. Visits from Italian and German officials to Edo State have made the local government lash out at the two countries basically saying that Nigeria should not be stigmatized without some of the blame being put squarely back on the two European countries, in which human trafficking "runs rampant." Officials said the war on human trafficking needs to begin in Italy and Germany, which have the full support of Edo State.
I can understand where the Edo State officials are coming from. They don't want fingers pointed at their country by people whose own country is faring no better in terms of the same situation. I think that Nigeria is feeling defensive since they don't want to be stigmatized by the West while the West has major sex trafficking problems, too. While I feel Nigeria needs to put on their big boy pants and tackle the problem head on and not just point fingers, I also think the same thing about Italy and Germany. Italy and Germany are developed countries with a lot of clout in the global community. Developed countries are looked to as leaders in the war against human trafficking, and all human rights issues, and they need to take that leadership role seriously. The world is watching.
Nigerian Observer Online
3 comments:
I totally agree with the Nigerian officials. If you think about it, we have a similar situation in the United States. We have many organizations that want to help starving people all over the world, yet we have starving people in North Carolina that we are not helping. I am all for helping those who can't help themselves around the world but I think we need to start in our own neighborhoods first.
I agree with what the Nigerian officals are saying. Why be hypocritical? I also agree with Corinne, here in the United States, we see commericals about giving money for the donation of food for other places around the world, however, don't we have enough starving children and families here in our own home?
I agree with Corinne, but what about the saying "you can't help those who won't help themselves." Their own governments should take responsibility for helping its starving people before we go in and help. Lets help those in the U.S. first. I totally agree.
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