MORENO… this criminal and despicable act, also called trafficking in persons, takes many horrible forms.
America’s top diplomat in Jamaica has appealed to the Maroons to help combat modern-day slavery, describing it as a cruel injustice and a criminal and despicable act.
Noting that the Maroons’ story is one of resistance to slavery and the struggle for independence, Ambassador Luis Moreno said people have a responsibility to identify human trafficking, inform authorities, help protect victims, and help bring perpetrators to justice.
Moreno made the appeal on January 6 in remarks at the 278th anniversary celebration of the Signing of the Maroon Peace Treaty.
Below is the full text of his address, being shared by the US Embassy in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr Day in the USA today.
“Let me start by once again extending a hand of friendship on behalf of President Obama and the American people to the Maroons, whose unique cultural heritage we honour and cherish. Though the Maroon Peace Treaty was written in a different time and context, I think section 14, which calls for two British men to live with the Maroons ‘in order to maintain a friendly correspondence with the inhabitants of this island’, closely resembles the goals of modern diplomatic missions.
“It is my privilege as ambassador, along with my team at the US Embassy in Kingston, to further strengthen our partnership with the Jamaican people and Government, including Maroon communities.
“However, I would like to take this opportunity to present a call to action for all Jamaicans, but specifically for Maroons, who embody a powerful historical narrative. Theirs is the story of resistance to slavery, the struggle for independence, and the willingness to stand up for what is right. These ideals are for any people who face abuse, degradation and who are robbed of their liberty, health and prosperity.
“Today, there is a cruel injustice which all governments – in the United States, Jamaica, and around the world – are working to combat: modern-day slavery. This criminal and despicable act, also called trafficking in persons, takes many horrible forms: young girls forced into commercial prostitution in brothels or subjugated to local dons, labourers forced to work long hours in excruciating conditions for substandard or no pay, and young women sent to live with a relative only to do nothing other than domestic servitude.
“As in every country in the world, trafficking in persons occurs right in our midst, and we have a responsibility to identify it, inform authorities, help protect victims, and bring to justice those who perpetrate this terrible crime. No country has solved this issue, and the United States and Jamaica continue to work in partnership to develop the necessary judicial and law enforcement mechanisms to crush this practice and bring an end to the global trade.
“Maroons have a unique voice to lend to this fight and I call on each Maroon battalion to take a lead in the fight against modern-day slavery in Jamaica. However, it falls on all of us to do our part to eliminate this scourge.
“Congratulations to the Maroons on 278 years since the peace treaty signing. We look forward to future celebrations and to strengthening the time-honoured friendship between the American people and the Maroons.”