Canadians “Shout No to Human Trafficking” Boycott Belize Tourism

“As a Canadian, I know the more Canadians know about the life of Belize human trafficking victims — how they are propelled into slavery and commercial sexual exploitation, what puts them there, what keeps them there — more Canadians will want to join the growing worldwide lobby to defeat the Belize human trafficking superhighway,” said Betty Philips.

“Canadians are known around the world for addressing injustice when they see it,” said Betty Philips. “I add my invitation for as many Canadians as possible to join the Tourism Boycott to stop human trafficking in Belize.”

Belize is a corridor for drug and human trafficking in Central America and beyond. Thousands of people are annually shuttled across and within its borders, bringing its victims to a life of slavery and desperation. A vast number of victims are young women, trapped and working in forced prostitution in Belize bars.

http://www.free-press-release.com/news-trafficking-in-persons-report-2010-fai...

http://www.i-newswire.com/appeal-to-stop-human-trafficking/43294

According to the United States’ State Department the conditions under which “school-aged” minors are forced to provide sexual favors for wealthy older men, the sugar daddies, in exchange for school fees, money, and gifts are alive and well in Belize. So, Belize is back on the State Department’s Tier 2 Watch List for Trafficking in Humans.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Belize-not-a-Tourism-Paradise-Drug-Human-Trafficking

Our online call for a Belize Tourism Boycott is gaining momentum around the world. We have asked for a boycott because Belize is a human trafficking corridor that transits victims to the rest of Central America, Mexico and up to the US and Canada.  Thousands of human trafficking victims yearly go through Belize’s corrupt and porous borders.

The campaign is distinct from other human trafficking drives. It does not ask for money; it asks for action. “We are asking for Canadians’ continued support of our efforts to close down human trafficking in Belize. Email, twit, blog, use any of your social networks to stop human trafficking victims winding up in forced prostitution in Belize.”

As a Canadian I am very proud of how quickly Canada is getting behind the campaign to stop human trafficking in Belize.  I am writing to all Canadians asking them to donate action, not money to the campaign So, I urge you to use your email and social networks to get the word out to as many Canadians as possible. We are urging Canadians not to choose Belize as a travel destination. 

Going to Belize as a tourist is like saying its okay for its government to turn a blind eye to human trafficking victims, many of whom are trapped in bar hellholes, tied to a life of forced prostitution.  In particular, we have red-flagged San Pedro Ambergris Caye, designating it a human trafficking hub.

I have been to Belize many times. Drug-related murders, random gun fire with innocent victims shot and killed is a common occurrence. Belize is simply not a safe place.  Belize City is a rotting, ugly and dangerous zone.  If you get into trouble, don’t bother calling the corrupt and incompetent police.  Unless you want to get into bribes that sometimes help and sometimes don’t.

Originally from Orillia Ontario, Betty Philips earned degrees at the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Don’t go to Belize.  Boycott Belize tourism

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