The distinctiveness of Nigerian trafficking is that the victims are being pledged by religious practices related to a traditional voodoo oath (juju). According to this tradition a woman gives an oath in front of the “priest”, swearing obedience to her trafficker or pimp. The victims are forced to swear that they will never reveal the name or the identity of their traffickers to police or to anyone else. This new trend in human trafficking has increased the numbers of trafficked women from Nigeria for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Countries of destination are usually Greece, Spain and Italy. This “religious pact” has been the strong point of the Nigerian trafficking network due to the psychological pressure that victims feel. In the majority of the cases , the victims even though they have paid their “debt” to their pimp , refuse to reveal the identities or the names of their traffickers and for that reason it is difficult for the authorities to combat this form of human trafficking.
Sources:
http://www.athensnews.gr (Article: Fighting the sex trade)
http://www.punchng.com (Article : How immigration officials and voodoo aid human trafficking business in Nigeria).
You know that Thodorakis has a program on that issue don't you? The use of the so called "voodoo" has many aspects and to a degree reproduce the myth of the "uncivilized african" so we shoudl see tis dimensions. But you have a good start here.Put htough you own comments and feelings
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