The Complexity of Human Smuggling

We watched all twelve episodes of an intriguing Netflix series called Criminal which has three of those episodes set in each of Britain, France, and Spain, and Germany. They all take place in a police interview room with suspects in various criminal activities and we realized along the way that it is the same room and setting for all twelve (they were filmed in Madrid.)

Episode 3 in the British series involves the interrogation of a lorry (truck) driver who makes trips back and forth to the European continent. He is suspected of being involved in human smuggling and in order to avoid spoiling your viewing, time is of the essence in gleaning information from him. Jay, the driver, is anxious about the legal consequences, afraid of his handlers, and overwhelmed by the possibility that he has harmed other human beings.



We are witnessing this scenario unfold with grim accuracy at the moment. A truck with the bodies of 39 people has been discovered in Essex, Britain and a driver in his mid-20's has been charged with manslaughter, along with another man. Police are attempting to piece together what has transpired and it now appears that the people who perished are originally from China and somehow ended up being smuggled from Belgium through a small UK port in a Bulgarian vehicle.

This sad situation is a reminder that human smuggling and human trafficking are a daily reality around the world, and very complex. In most instances we are totally oblivious about what is transpiring. We get glimpses of the dark reality when migrants die crossing the Mediterranean, or are incarcerated in inhumane conditions along the Mexico/US border, or a human trafficking ring is broken up along the Highway 410 corridor. It's tempting to shake our heads in disbelief and simply move on. After all, what can we do? Even police forces, including the RCMP struggle to make a dent in this scourge.

I hope we all realize that the traffic in human desperation and suffering is real, and will likely intensify as the global population grows and more people end up on the move as climate refugees. 

As Christians we can make sure we are informed and regularly include migrants and refugees in our prayers, individually and in our faith communities. 

Thoughts? 



Migrant Children in US Detention Facility