Pope Francis has taken advantage of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking to implore governments to end people trafficking especially involving children:“I urge all those in government positions to combat this scourge with firmness, giving voice to our younger brothers and sisters who have been wounded in their dignity. All efforts must be made to eradicate this shameful and intolerable crime.”

We don’t all have Liam Neesons to come save people around us who get “taken”. Come figure out how to deal with human trafficking today! pic.twitter.com/KGFN1zCbN2— Pitt SGRhos (@PittSGRhos) January 19, 2017

He was stinging in his criticism of the atrocities perpetrated against Myanmar’s minority Rohingya community:“They have been suffering for years, they have been tortured, killed, simply because they want to live their culture and their Muslim faith. Let us pray for them… for our Rohingya brothers and sisters.”

13-yo #Rohingya boy, Hasson from #KyeeKanPyin was detained by #Myanmar military this morning. Brutally tortured and released in the evening. pic.twitter.com/aYixUBY3Kb— Ro Nay San Lwin (@nslwin) February 5, 2017

The UN says level of dehumanisation and cruelty is “revolting and unacceptable” and the organisation stressed governments have a responsibility to ensure that populations are protected.