To Honorable Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
To Gerhard Mayer-Volfelder, President of FIFA Germany
Stop the Trafficking and Exploitation of Women in Germany
Whereas:
- From June 9- July 9 Germany will host the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in 12 German cities drawing upwards of 7 million visitors, mostly males, and
- It is estimated 40,000-100,000 women and girls will be “imported” to Germany from Central and Eastern Europe to augment the ranks of 15,000 prostitutes now working in the legal sex trade to provide sexual services during the World Cup, and
- According to the European Parliament, as many of 500,000 people - the majority women and children - are smuggled into the EU on an annual basis, mostly by organized human trafficking rings, and
- In anticipation of the World Cup, huge mega brothels have been constructed in Berlin close to the stadium. Cologne, Dortmund and other host cities are following suit to build huge brothels, therefore…
We, the undersigned, members of the Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas, in honor of the International Day of Women, March 8, would call upon the German government and its Chancellor, Angela Merkel and upon FIFA and FIFA Germany to:
- Honor it’s commitments under the UN Treaties to eradicate trafficking and enforce immigration laws against coerced prostitution and trafficking of people.
- To stop the promotion and exploitation of women and girls, particularly in the sex industry during the World Cup when all eyes are on Germany.
- Condemn and cease all preparation for the World Cup projects that link football and sexual exploitation as entertainment for participants, fans and visitors.