***ACTION OF THE WEEK***
UK NUCLEAR STOCKPILE TO INCREASE BY MORE THAN 40%
Christian CND writes...The publication of the Integrated Review of Defence and Security Policy has confirmed that the UK’s nuclear warhead stockpile will increase to 260 by the middle of the decade, ending over 30 years of gradually declining stockpile numbers.
The UK currently has around 180 nuclear warheads, stored in Coulport in Scotland when not deployed on submarines, with each one around eight times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The number of warheads the UK holds has been decreasing since its peak of around 500 at the end of the Cold War. The last Strategic Defence and Security Review, which was published in 2015, suggested that the number of stockpiled warheads would be capped at 180 by the mid 2020s and no more than 120 should be operational.
The publication of the Integrated Review of Defence and Foreign Policy due to “the evolving security environment, including the developing range of technological and doctrinal threats”. There has been condemnation of the decision from Christian leaders, many politicians and even the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The decision to increase the number of warheads is against the spirit of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, of which the UK is a member. It also comes at a time when 130 states have expressed support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into law on Friday 22 January 2021.
Christian CND will be joining other faith groups and broader civil society in opposing these plans. We hope you will join us as we continue to work and pray for a nuclear weapons-free world.
To keep up to date with developments, go to the Christian CND website here.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are encouraging people to email the Prime Minister here...
Thank You.
NEWS AND COMMENT
1. Increase in Nuclear Weapons
Church leaders condemn increase in nuclear warheads (by Ellen Teague in The Tablet)
Church leaders across seven denominations have issued a statement criticising the UK Government’s integrated review of foreign and defence policies which proposes to increase the UK’s nuclear warheads from 196 to 260.
They described this as “a retrograde step that will not make any of us safer” adding: “It is immoral that the UK government is committing resources, which could be spent on the common good of our society, to stockpiling even more weapons." To read the article in full, go to The Tablet.
UK increases nuclear arsenal: 'this is moral bankruptcy' (courtesy of Independent Catholic News)
The Anglican Bishop of Rochester Roger Morris commented in a series of tweets: 'UK Government: Authorised £1.39bn arms sales to Saudi Arabia from July - Sept 2020. Cut foreign aid from 0.7% to 0.5% GDP Cut aid to Yemen while it is being bombarded by UK weapons.' 'Now plans to increase number of nuclear warheads by ~ 50%.' This is moral bankruptcy.'
Bruce Kent, Vice President of CND and of Pax Christi said: "Increasing our arsenal of nuclear weapons of mass destruction, as our Government now proposes, is dangerous, foolish and immoral. We would do so much better if we signed up, with the great majority of nations, to the new UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. That is the best direction for our country and the world to be heading. If we have billions to spare far better to spend them on the NHS." Read the rest of the article on ICN here.
2. Four years of demanding a say over trade deals
Jean Blaylock from Global Justice Now writes:-
"The Trade Bill finally reached the end of the road on the 23rd March. As we expected when I wrote to you about this in February, there were no last minute chances to introduce trade democracy provisions. So the bill itself does not help MPs have a meaningful say over trade deals.
Our campaigning, however, has helped. I don’t want to oversell this - we didn’t succeed in ensuring that MPs would get a vote on trade deals. But we have completely changed the conversation, we have forced the government to be less secretive than it would have liked, and it has made small commitments."
Caroline Lucas MP writes:- "Democratic oversight of trade is not a 'nice to have'. It is essential.
It has been so inspiring that thousands of people have spoken up for trade democracy, calling on Parliament to take action. Over the long, slow process of this bill, your voices have helped hold MPs to account. Parliamentarians across the political divide increasingly recognise that elected representatives should have a meaningful say on future trade deals – and that’s thanks to you.
Disgracefully, this government had been more concerned with a desperate trade power grab than putting in place a democratic, environmentally and socially just framework for the UK’s new independent trade policy. But they are swimming against the tide. The calls for scrutiny continue to grow louder and, as the reality of high risk trade deals bites, the case for trade democracy and transparency will only become stronger."
The Trade Bill Timeline is available to read here.
3. NJPN Column in the Universe
12th March – Margaret Clark, President of the National Board of Catholic Women
'Women Network for Justice'
The National Board of Catholic Women (NBCW) has launched a new website for communication for women throughout England and Wales. It is also a platform for the Bishops’ Conference England and Wales to hear the voices of Catholic women. Our committees cover a wide range of issues such as social justice,
education, health, bio-ethics, ecumenical and interfaith, violence against women and international issues.
Working together and collaborating with organisations, including the National Justice and Peace Network, we come together as a strong collective Catholic voice to address areas of concern, advocate for change and transfer information. Our new website helps us communicate and link digitally with extensive
networks. To read the article in full, click here.
For more information and to get involved, go to the NBCW website.
19th March – Henrietta Cullinan is a member of Pax Christi England and Wales.
'Toxic Masculinity'
‘Mighty Mountain and the three strong women’ is a book I recently read to my grandchildren. A young man on his way to a sumo wrestling competition is taken in by three strong women. They ask him, “but what will you do when you meet someone who is really strong?” Then the women set out to make him the strongest
wrestler in Japan. Read the rest of Henrietta's article here.
26th March – Michael and Patricia Pulham are on the CCND Executive.
'A Better Way to Peace'
Palm Sunday shows how quickly moods can change. In less than a week ‘Hosannah’ changed to ‘Crucify Him!’. Will the bishops’ statements against the new defence policy – where Britain is increasing its nuclear weapons stockpile – cause our government to change its mind? Read the rest of the article here.
Michael and Patricia write: - Our organisation is ecumenically composed, with no leader but Christ. The two co-chairs are time limited and exist to alternately run meetings and sign paperwork. We are not only interdenominational but make connections with other faiths and anyone interested in our campaigning. Our website has many ‘hits’, as does our large social media network. See: https://christiancnd.org.uk/
Our thanks go to our friends at The Universe for supporting us. If you would like to take out a subscription to their newspaper, please follow this link.
4. Refugees/Migrants (includes an event for this Tuesday, 30th March, and an action)
'Cruel and dishonest’ changes to UK asylum system marks ‘a dark day in Britain’s history’ says JRS UK
Changes announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel today (24th March), have been condemned by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS UK) as deeply cruel, dishonest and inhumane. Those seeking asylum who arrive via irregular routes, such as in small boats in the English Channel, will no longer have the same entitlements when claiming asylum as those who arrive through government designated routes.
Under new plans to be announced in parliament this afternoon, those forced to flee their homes, seeking protection from the UK who have not arrived via the limited and restrictive routes laid out by government, would not be immediately able to claim asylum. This process would place vulnerable refugees at risk of removal at any time, and force their family reunion rights and access to necessary financial support to be vastly limited.
To read the Director of JRS UK, Sarah Teather's comments and further information, go to the JRS website.
One way you can help them accompany their friends seeking asylum through their suffering, is through the act of prayer. JRS will be gathering on Tuesday 30th March at 6:30pm to pray the JRS UK Way of the Cross, a traditional way of praying during Lent and Holy Week. We invite you to reflect on the suffering of refugees and forcibly displaced people in the world today, in light of the suffering that Jesus endured. Register here.
New Routes Now for Refugees
Safe Passage Now writes: - The Government is closing the doors on child refugees.The Government's new plans to reform the asylum system rip up asylum rights for the majority of refugees arriving in Britain and included no new safe routes to sanctuary.
We're calling on Priti Patel to make a commitment to new safe routes for child refugees. To add your voice to our campaign, click here.
Massive Fire in Bangladesh Rohingya Refugee Camp
At least fifteen people were killed in a fire that swept through the sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on 22nd March.
Reports indicate that the fire destroyed at least 10,000 shelters as it blazed through the camp. Several people were injured and an estimated 45,000 people were displaced. Some essential facilities including distribution points, learning centres and a health clinic were also damaged in the fire.
A statement on the UN website said that World Food Programme (WFP) engineering and field personnel, as well as food assistance teams have been on ground since the fire was first reported.
Bangladeshi government agencies, NGOs and other humanitarian organizations are also working hard to respond to the situation by delivering emergency supplies including blankets and clean drinking water. For the full story, go to Vatican News.
More than 75% of Syrian Refugees may have PTSD
A UK charity is calling for more investment in mental health services for refugees in several countries after it found symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were widespread in a survey of displaced Syrians.
Syria Relief said refugees and people internally displaced by the conflict struggled to find support.
A survey of 721 Syrians living in Lebanon, Turkey and in Idlib in Syria’s north-west found 84% had at least seven out of 15 key symptoms of PTSD. To read the article in The Guardian, click here.
That was the Refugee Week Slow Conference
On a lighter note, Refugee Week looks back at six weeks of arts and culture for change, from the 4th February to the 11th March 2021. The 'Slow Conference' was a series of workshops spread over the six weeks, enabling many more people to take part. It was a month and a half of rich conversations, in which learning was generously shared and many new connections were made. Over 760 people signed up to the programme and most sessions were attended by over 100 people, who joined from across the UK and internationally, including from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Greece. For feedback on the events, and ways in which you can get involved in Refugee Week (15-21 June), click here.
5.Liberation Struggles - Make Friends and Get Political
Rebecca Tinsley, through Pan African Visions, writes the following:- 'The suffering of civilians in Cameroon’s formerly British portion should shame the world. Justice demands that decades of marginalisation and grievance be addressed through a new constitutional settlement based on the principle of consent, guaranteeing Anglophone citizens a democratic right to self-determination.
But how? We can learn lessons from earlier struggles. The following comments are from someone who has the luxury of living far from the conflict, and they are offered with respect and humility.'
Rebecca writes a very good article, comparing the situation across other African Nations. and sums up in the hope that the Anglophone struggles move from a military strategy to a diplomatic one. To read it in full, go to the Pan African Visions website.
6. Racism
CARJ Shocked by Pontins Irish Names Blacklist (from the Independent Catholic News)
The Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) has issued this statement following the revelation that holiday firm Pontins kept a blacklist of Irish names which staff were told not to allow on their sites.
'We are all shocked to hear of the discriminatory practices of Britannia Jinky Jersey Ltd (owners of Pontins) against Gypsies and Travellers. They have signed an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) after their behaviour came to light, through a whistle-blower who reported them to the EHRC in February 2020. All credit to the 'whistleblower' and to the EHRC.'
For the full article, go to the ICN website.
Columbans announce winners of Schools 'End Racism' competition
Winners have been announced in a media competition for young people on the subject ‘Let’s create a world without racism’ run by the Columban Missionary Society in Britain and Ireland.
The two strands of the competition – articles and images - attracted almost 300 entries from nearly 100 schools, which were judged by panels of media experts separately in Britain and Ireland, some with special expertise on the issue of Racism. The 14-18-year-olds addressed the topical issue which resonates with Columban mission.
“The quality of entries blew me away and I was amazed at their energy and thoughtfulness,” said James Trewby, Columban Education Worker in Britain. “Discussion of overt and covert racism, structural challenges to micro-aggression, and images to force anyone to stop and think, brought passion, experience, and hope to an important issue,” he added. William Scholes, the Irish News’ Religion Editor, commended the maturity of the writing and artwork of the winners. He also paid tribute to the students’ passionate care for the subject saying, “their longing that people should be seen as equals ‘no matter what colour of skin you have’ is real and poignant”. Personal testimonies had shown, “a window into how racism isn’t just an academic or theoretical issue, but a lived one which can have visceral consequences,” he said.
In Britain, Kashaf Zahid of Gumley House School in West London, wrote the winning article. It was described as, “written from the heart with references to real personal experience and tying in Catholic Social Teaching as well” by one judge. Another liked, “the point that racism and other forms of prejudice are conceived from ignorance, miseducation and influence but those who hold such beliefs can be changed for the good.” Runners up were Zane Sekhon of Worth School in West Sussex and Cara Treacy of the Sacred Heart at Upminster.
Esther Ojobara of St Paul’s Academy in London won first prize in the images section. One judge said, “the technique of merging different facial features of individuals of different ethnicities together to make one face, representing a multi-cultural society and world, shows that although we all have differences, we have a shared humanity and are all equal, as we are created in God’s image.” Runners up were Dior Knorr and Lily Heryng of Holy Cross in New Malden and Hirah Ahsan of St Augustine’s in Redditch.
In Ireland, Ella Fleming of St Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast, wrote the winning article. One judge described her piece as, “a fantastically brave article, beautifully written; really profoundly moving.” Another described it as, “a poignant piece, that draws attention to the dangers and impact on a life that experiences racism.” Runners up were Conn Fyfe of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, and Victory Isijola of St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk, Co Louth.
Emily Grimes of St Oliver's Community College, Drogheda won first prize in the images section. Her artwork was judged to have been a “very simple but effective image that showed a lot of originality and technique.” Runners up were Caoimhe Collins of Ballincollig, Co Cork, and Caragh Cochrane of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena.
Esther Ojobara's beautiful image is shown below. The British entries can be found through the Columbans UK website, and the Irish entries through the Columbans Irish website. Well done to all of those who took part, the entries are all amazing.
7. Myanmar (includes an Action)
Myanmar: over 300 killed since military takeover
A group of observers that monitors the deaths and arrests of protesters on Friday said its tally of 320 deaths includes only documented cases, with the actual number of casualties “likely much higher.”
The latest killings came on Friday as three anti-junta protesters were shot and killed by officers, on the heels of 11 others killed on Thursday, according to Myanmar’s Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
The association also revealed that almost 3,000 protesters have been arrested, charged or sentenced in the crackdown since the February 1 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. To read the full story. go to Vatican News.
Burma Campaign UK welcomes UK and USA sanctions on military companies.
The UK has sanctioned military conglomerate Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). The USA has sanctioned MEHL and the other big military conglomerate, Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC). It is essential that the UK now moves swiftly to also sanctions MEC.
“We welcome this long overdue action by the British government,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “We hope they will move swiftly to expand these sanctions to all military companies in order to stop British companies doing any form of business with the military, including providing financial and insurance services.” Go to the Burma Campaign UK website for their article dated 25th March.
8. Syria
UNICEF highlights plight of children after a decade of conflict
The United Nations Children’s Fund reports that ten years of humanitarian crisis and hostilities in Syria have had a profound effect on the situation of most of the children in the country.
A recent statement from UNICEF notes that about 90 percent of children are in need of humanitarian assistance – a figure that represents a 20 percent increase in the past year alone. The children have been impacted by violence, displacement, severed family ties and lack of access to vital services caused by the massive physical devastation of the country.
To read the full article, and what UNICEF are doing and recommending, go to Vatican News.
Also, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has stated that the UN will continue its pursuit of a negotiated political settlement in line with Security Council resolution 2254. Again, the full story is available from Vatican News.
9. Climate/Environment Issues
HSBC to phase out financing of coal in the EU and OECD
Share Action writes:- We urged HSBC to act – and it did! On the 11th of March HSBC announced a commitment to phase out the financing of coal in the EU and OECD by 2030 and other regions by 2040.
In a resolution put forward by the bank - to be voted on in May - it also commits itself to set a strategy and targets to align all its lending with the goals of the Paris climate agreement.
This is a huge step and a massive win for shareholder activism.
To read more about this, see Share Action's website. Also, read this article in The Guardian.
10. The Right to Peaceful Protest and Violence against Women
This is a really difficult issue to write about, and there is so much going on around both topics at present. By rights, they should be given their own sections in this e-bulletin, but due to the tragic murder of Sarah Everard recently, they have become intertwined. I have done my best to pick out the articles which give a balanced view, but I am sure there are many more good pieces out there.
Sharing personally here, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine last weekend; both of us have sons in their twenties. She told me that her son has said that when he goes out at night, he will never walk alone, and that he always walks back with a friend. When they get to the point where they say goodnight, he will run home as fast as he can. He also told her that if he was in the position whereby he was walking on his own at night, and there was a woman in front of him, he would always cross to the other side of the street, so as not to frighten her.
On the other side of this, a colleague of mine told me about a conversation with her daughter, and the stark realisation that we condition ourselves. The daughter always works out her route, whenever walking home from work and looks for possible escape routes. She feels safer in the city but always runs from her local station to her road and has her phone out. She said she always has to think about the time of day when she goes for a run. She has discussed this with her husband and he would just go out for a run without thinking if it was getting dark.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that there are many men out there who feel vulnerable, as well as women. I am not trying to diminish the terrible attacks that have happened against women, but society as a whole needs to change. The discussion has to be across all ages and genders and with people of influence as it is about respect and dignity for all people, not always evident within our society.
The right to peaceful protest
Ann Farr, Chair of Pax Christi England and Wales, has written this excellent article in the Independent Catholic News.
Social media posts are commenting on the roller coaster week that this has been for women. Starting with all the congratulations for International Women's Day, when we were able to share in some wonderful occasions recognising women for all that they do.
But it also seemed that big companies were getting on the bandwagon, even when we know them for their exploitation of their workforce, women included.
Ann then goes onto talk about the death of Sarah Everard, and then the horrific scenes are the Band Stand at Clapham Common. To read her full article, click here.
She finishes with the Pax Christi Daily Prayer:-
Loving God,
Strengthen: my determination to work for a world of peace and justice; my courage to challenge the powerful with the values of the gospel and my commitment to find nonviolent ways of resolving conflict.
Teach me to speak out for the victims of injustice who have no voice and to reject the violence which runs through much of our world today.
Why protest shouldn't be prevented (including an Action)
Quakers in Britain have a good article on their website about The Police, Crimes and Sentencing Bill that was published recently, plus a link to that Bill.
Fellowship of Reconciliation are urging you to contact your MP to encourage them to vote against the Bill. Details of how to email your MP are available here.
Alternatively, you can sign Global Justice Now's e-petition 'Defend the Right to Protest' here.
Holy See calls for protection and promotion of women and girls
The Holy See's representative, Fr Francesca di Giovanni, to the current session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women stresses the importance of creating a just and loving world for all women and girls.
Di Giovanni noted that significant efforts have been made at the local, national, and international levels "to prevent and punish violence against women and girls" in the last twenty-five years, since the Fourth World Conference on Women, which “rendered a great service by casting a spotlight on violence towards women and girls.”
However, she pointed out, "there is more to be done", noting that "in many places, stay-at-home orders have coincided with increased calls to domestic violence helplines". At the same time, women and girls also experience abuse and exploitation through human trafficking, "particularly sex trafficking", she said, in which girls are "assaulted, raped, exploited, and sometimes even forced to undergo abortions".
Read Dr Giovanni's full statement through Vatican News.
NEWSLETTERS
11. North West NJPN E-Bulletin - International Women's Day Issue March 2021
A very thought-provoking read from Anne O'Connor, leading with Ann Farr's article shared above. Anne writes:- International Women’s Day on 8 March should have been a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world and to commit to bringing about equality for women everywhere. The murder of Sarah Everard brought into sharp focus that more measures and a radical change in attitude are needed for women to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. At the time of writing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe awaits the outcome of a second trial which may result in further incarceration in an Iranian prison – please pray for her and her family. Read it through the NJPN website.
12. North West NJPN Justice and Peace E-Bulletin Easter 2021
A great read from Anne O'Connor, billed as follows:- The Easter edition of the NW NJPN E BULLETIN features three frank and heart-felt sharings on the reality of living as a young BAME person on today’s Britain – winners of the Columban’s recent competition ‘Let’s Create a World Without Racism’, plus an article, published first in 2016 but still relevant today, from a Black University Minister in the US. Other items include the UK government’s plan to increase our nuclear arsenal which is seen by campaigning groups as ‘a dangerous U-turn which contravenes the aims of the Non-Proliferation Treaty’. Pax Christi is launching a virtual ‘Pilgrimage for Peace’ with exciting initiatives to raise funds and awareness of the vital work of this campaigning group. There are book reviews, Easter poems, and resources, including a link to a moving adaptation of the Stations of the Cross in a Time of Fear and Uncertainty by my late daughter’s parish in Sheffield.
Available through the NJPN website here.
13. Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility March 2021
Various events and actions, plus information. A good read. Find it here.
14. Salesians Justice and Peace March 2021
Their Organisation of the Month focuses on the work of Young Minds, dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of young people. Available to read here.
15. Living Fair March 2021
Showcasing Traidcraft goods, as well as a very interesting article about Cycle of Good's Elephant Bikes! Fabulous idea!
Read it here.
16. Operation Noah March 2021
Lots of events, resources and opportunities. Click here.
17. Green Christian Spring 2021 - Youth Activism Issue
You can sign up to receive their magazine, but some of the articles are available to read through their website by clicking here.
EVENTS (in chronological order where applicable)
18. Monday 29th March 5.45pm for 6pm until 7pm
Green Christian Allotment Group
Details available here.
19. Tuesday 29th March 11.30am until 12.45pm
Investing in Change: Making your money work for good.
Register here.
20. Tuesday 29th March 6pm until 7.30pm
Indigenous Solidarity: Our Struggles Unite
Details and Register here.
21. Thursday 1st April 3pm - 4.15pm
Monthly Meet: Refugee Week in your Faith Community
For more information click here.
22. Saturday 10th April 12noon until 4.15pm
We Rise 2021 with the Global Justice Now Youth Network
For more information and to get your online tickets through Eventbrite, click here.
23. 19th April 2021 - 7pm - 8.30pm
Online conversation on UK Politics of Division
Church and Peace in Britain and Ireland is hosting an online conversation on „The Politics of Division – is the UK government pursuing a “white nationalist” agenda to split our communities? Click here to register.
24. Thursday 22nd April - Saturday 25th April
From the Ground Up II
Details and booking through Eventbrite here.
25. Thursday 22nd April, between either 1pm and 2pm or 8pm and 9pm
Climate Emergency Toolkit: National Training Webinar
Details and to register, click here.
ACTIONS/APPEALS/SURVEYS/E-PETITIONS
26. Big Pharma: Share your Vaccines with the World
Global Justice now writes: - "The reason we have the vaccine success is because of capitalism, because of greed, my friends."
These were Boris Johnson’s leaked remarks to Conservative MPs which made headlines this week. But they couldn’t be further from the truth.
Publicly-funded science is why we have vaccines. Volunteers are how we’ve proved they’re safe. And the NHS is how we’ve rolled them out.
Big pharma corporations have played their part – but greed is why they’re refusing to suspend their patents, leaving vaccine factories lying idle around the world and billions of people facing years without a vaccine as a result.
We need to restrain greed, not celebrate it, if we’re going to truly tackle this global pandemic – and so many other challenges. Can you join our urgent call to demand vaccines for all?
27. End UK Arms Sales for Use in the War on Yemen
Campaign Against Arms Trade writes: - Tomorrow (last Friday) marks six years since Saudi-led forces began bombing Yemen. Six years of homes being destroyed. Six years of lives being torn apart. Six years of world leaders turning their backs on the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
As you already know, the attacks on Yemen have been made possible by weapons supplied by the UK government and sustained by its ongoing military support.
Since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015, the value of UK arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition amounts to at least £18 billion. A political solution is desperately needed to bring this horrific conflict to an end.
After six long years there is finally cause for hope. US President Joe Biden recently announced the US will freeze arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE and end “all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen.” This is a huge opportunity to pressure the UK to do the same.
It’s time to take a stand against the war on Yemen and end UK arms sales that are prolonging this deadly conflict. Sign CAAT’s open letter to Boris Johnson if you agree.
28. Ditch Detention for Survivors of Modern Slavery
Anti Slavery writes: - The Government is planning to make life even harder for survivors of modern slavery, by making it difficult for wrongly detained survivors, or those at risk of harm, to be released from prison-like detention.
This is a major blow for victims and survivors of modern slavery in the UK who deserve dignity after their ordeal, not detention and additional trauma.
If the changes the Government proposes are passed, we will see prison-like treatment instead of protection and support for people who have already been trafficked and enslaved.
Not only does this mean the Government will not keep its promises on tackling modern slavery and helping victims, but it means that fewer victims will speak out for fear of being treated like a criminal once they escape from their traffickers.
Add your voice to their campaign here.
29. THE LAST WORD
Mark Shriver talks about his children's book '10 Hidden Heroes'
Another piece from 'across the pond.' This time concerning Mark Shriver, son of Eunice Kennedy Shriver (sister of President John F. Kennedy) and Sargent Shriver, the first Director of the Peace Corps.
Considering his famous background, Mark is very much of the opinion that our culture focuses too much on celebrity, wealth and prestige. The world's real heroes, he believes, are those who do little acts of love. Such "hidden heroes" are the subject of his first children's book, 10 Hidden Heroes, released this month by Loyola Press. You can read more about it through the National Catholic Reporter website here.
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