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How many slaves work for you? There are 27 million slaves in the world today. Many of them contribute to the supply chains that end up in the products we use every day. Find out how many slaves work for you, and take action.
Please allow yourself to discover how much that you could be indirectly supporting Child Slavery.
Hey Nadine, we love your blog and are encouraged by your commitment to creating a more free world. Just want to reach out and say thanks for the inspiration! Have a great day :)
Keep up your great work :) Thanks for your kind words, let’s stand up for freedom together!
Made In A Free World's Trafficking Report #11
1. Three British women held in slavery for thirty years
The Scotland Yard police recently rescued three women, from domestic slavery in South London, the youngest of whom is thirty years old. A couple, both sixty-seven years old, kept the three women in captivity for thirty years, using physical and emotional abuse to maintain control. This case enlightened police to the prevalence of forced labor in Great Britain, where an estimated 6,000 people may be enslaved. Yet, according to The Independent, police detected only 36 of 389 human trafficking cases reported. England’s only trafficking unit, entitled Operation Maxim, shut down in 2010 due to funding difficulties. The Scotland Yard is dedicated to rendering justice for these victims, and have pressed the couple with human trafficking, immigration, and assault charges. The rescue of these women has refocused London police efforts to stop slavery.
2. University of Minnesota students tackle conflict minerals
Students at the University of Minnesota are working to make their campus free of conflict minerals. Mining for tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold yields large sums for those controlling mines in areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. These minerals, particularly tin and tantalum, are used in countless electronics including cell phones, laptops, and televisions. STAND, an anti-genocide group on campus, is aware of the profiting militia groups and their use of slave labor in the mining industry. STAND president Emily Mike states the students’ goal is to change university policy to only support tech companies that thoroughly trace their supply chain. College students play an important role in de-funding the violent trade of these minerals. As Mike points out, while students might not feel empowered, they undoubtedly “have a huge voice at the University,” and “it’s important we don’t overlook that.” The University of Pennsylvania and Duke University are two institutions that already adopted conflict-free policies. This is a great example of students working together to create change!
3. An Indonesian woman tells her story of domestic slavery in the United States
At the age of seventeen, Indonesia native Ima Matul took a position as a nanny in Los Angeles, California. This “job” was not what it seemed and Matul became a slave. For three years, her captors forced her to work as a domestic servant seven days a week without pay. Matul reported that she was beaten and threatened if she ever tried to leave. Since she did not speak English when she moved to the United States, Matul worked for months to learn enough of the language to write a note to a neighbor. The note simply said, “please help me.” The nanny and owners of a nearby house answered her plea and organized her escape. Matul states although much attention rests in sex trafficking, few know the realities of domestic servitude within the United States. She hopes that law enforcement will start to allocate more money and attention to slavery in the country. Matul’s story is a triumph, as she now has three children and works with slavery survivors at the Los Angeles based non-profit Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST LA).
4. Thirty arrested in Niger trafficking search
Although the United Nations lists Niger as the least developed country on Earth, its government is making strides toward abolishing slavery. The recent discovery of dozens of deceased migrants inspired Niger to take action against human trafficking. Most recently, the country made thirty arrests of people suspected of human trafficking, including defense and security personnel. Since Niger acts as a gateway for illegal trafficking routes from sub-Saharan Africa into North Africa and Europe, migrant smuggling is a prevalent problem. The article does not specify the type of labor these migrants enter into, but forced labor is present. This month alone, Niger made 150 arrests and rescued 477 migrants from the Sahara desert. According to government spokesperson Marou Amadou, Niger is committed to “dismantle the entire network of human trafficking.”
5. New MSNBC series will highlight the realities of human trafficking
On December 1, 2013, MSNBC will launch a new series aiming to educate viewers about sex trafficking in the United States. Slave Hunter: Freeing Victims of Human Trafficking explores the work of Aaron Cohen and Chris Baughman, who locate sex slaves in New York and offer them help. Cohen has worked for years as a human rights activist, and Baughman is the former vice detective for the Las Vegas Police Department. Through this television series, they hope to “educate hundreds of thousands of viewers about human trafficking – and help make women more aware of the methods pimps use to lure women into their web.” Watch the program on MSNBC beginning this Sunday at 10pm EST to learn more about the women held enslaved in this industry and ways you can help.
6. Recent college graduate champions anti-slavery through literature
Massachusetts native John H.D. Lucy recently published his first book, a personal memoir he titled 27 Million Revolutions for 27 Million Slaves. The book takes readers through Lucy’s six-week bicycle journey across twelve states during which he raised awareness about modern-day slavery in the United States. Lucy’s passion for social justice began in high school and continued after he learned that not only was sex trafficking present in the U.S., but also domestic servitude and forced labor. Majoring in English and religious studies in college, Lucy was well-equipped to pen a book about the injustices of slavery. He prefers to use the term “human trafficking” because it emphasizes the treatment of people as commodities. In Lucy’s own words, “With drug trafficking as a reference, I think that human trafficking is the best term to use because it reminds us that 27 million sacred human beings, at least, are treated as if they are no better than a blunt or marijuana or a whiff or cocaine." We know that storytelling is a powerful way to voice the injustice millions of people around the world experience every day. individual stories will help in the fight for their freedom. So, if you’re looking for something to read over the holiday season, this book seems like a worthwhile option.
Made In A Free World's Trafficking Report #10
1. EU responds to U.S. legislation addressing conflict minerals
New legislation from the European Union (EU) will require companies to report their supply chains for the purchase of tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold. Leader of the delegation, Judith Sargentini, states that the new law draft is a response to the U.S. Dodd Frank Act. Dodd Frank demands companies to clarify their supply chains for minerals in order to prove they are not funding conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and bordering countries. Sargentini says that the EU bill seeks to avoid outright prohibition of these minerals. She wants to prevent an increase in mineral smuggling within Africa, which occurred after the U.S. implemented Dodd Frank. The EU hopes to promote supply chain transparency without leaving mine workers unemployed. However, numerous reports have shown the prevalence of slavery in these mines. Both Dodd Frank and the new EU bill have positive and negative effects. Yet, both are a step toward informing businesses and consumers to fight against slavery in supply chains.
2. Note found in Halloween decorations reveals truth about Chinese labor camp
One year ago, Portland resident Julia Keith discovered a handwritten note while decorating for Halloween that would connect her to a story of courage and injustice. The author of the note was a man called “Mr. Zhang” to conceal his identity. Zhang is a Chinese citizen victimized by Masanja Labor Camp, an abusive labor camp in China. According to his testimony, Masanja subjects its workers beatings, sleep deprivation, extensive work hours, malnutrition, and even torture. During his imprisonment in the labor camp, Zhang painstakingly concealed notes in various packages he assembled. Each note, like the one Keith discovered, asked for help and for the reader to spread awareness about these injustices. In a recent interview, Mr. Zhang stated; “[He] had this idea of telling the outside world what was happening there -- it was a revelation even to someone like me who had spent my entire life in China.”
After finding the note, Keith researched Zhang’s story and realized it was not a Halloween prank. She contacted human rights groups and posted on Facebook, gaining attention from the local newspaper and eventually CNN. Thanks to Zhang’s courage, Keith’s response, and an expose published in a Chinese magazine, the government is making steps toward abolishing these forced labor practices. However, there are countless camps like Masanja still in existence. Keith urges consumers to educate themselves and support clean supply chains in order to prevent others from suffering this abuse.
3. Tainted labor found in Apple’s supply chain
Businessweek published an unbelievable story last week, revealing the unjust labor practices in the manufacturing of Apple’s iPhone 5. In order to keep pace with the strong demand for the new smartphone, Apple suppliers use “recruiting sprees” to attain the necessary labor force. According to Businessweek, recruiters travel to impoverished areas in countries such as Nepal and Malaysia, where people covet the chance for these jobs. Since the jobs are so desired, workers often pay large sums of money to hiring brokers to ensure their employment. This practice leaves workers in debt bondage, as the initial payment is often more than workers can earn in a year testing cameras or other parts of the iPhone. Businessweek also revealed that hiring brokers frequently withhold workers’ passports and punish them for trying to leave. This practice is a modern of “indentured servants.” Send a letter to Apple asking them to become Made In A Free World.
4. Two Florida men arrested for forcing children into labor in Palm Bay
Authorities in Palm Bay, Florida, arrested two men on twenty-four counts of human trafficking and twenty-four counts of child abuse. Johnny Carrasquillo and John St. Hilaire illegally forced twelve and thirteen year-old children to sell candy, candles, and other items in random Florida neighborhoods. The children were held in a van with no means of escape, and forced to make money for their captors. Fortunately, the Department of Children and Families had been investigating this and similar groups for some time, allowing police to act quickly.
5. 176 people rescued from human trafficking “mother ship” off Libyan Coast
On November 10, 2013, the Italian Navy made sixteen human trafficking arrests aboard a ship off the coast of Libya. Authorities reported that the traffickers used the fishing boat as a way to dispatch Syrian migrants hoping for a better life to parts of Southern Europe. However, authorities suspect that the traffickers planned to sell the migrants into forced labor rings. Submarine and other forms of surveillance, put in place after two recent shipwrecks that resulted in 500 deaths, helped the Navy conduct a successful raid. In addition to the sixteen arrests, the Navy rescued 176 Syrian migrants from the vessel.
6. Chile increasing action against labor and sex exploitation
The Chilean government is extending an impressive effort to combat modern-day slavery in their home country. Cynthia Contreras, the deputy prefect of the Human Trafficking Brigade (BRITRAP) of Chile’s Investigative Police, states that trafficking victims are often foreigners traveling to Chile for the prospect of a better job. However, when they arrive in Chile, they are often victimized by criminal gangs who force them into positions of labor or the sex trade. BRITRAP works to prevent trafficking into Chile through investigation of migrant smuggling. The brigade composed Law 20.507 in April 2011, which made trafficking in persons a crime instead of a civil violation. A hundred and fifty-two trafficking survivors have been rescued as a result of BRITRAP efforts. In addition to rescue efforts, the Ministry of Interior and Public Security will launch a National Plan of Action by the end of this year. The plan takes a multidimensional approach, focusing on education and prevention, prosecution, and rehabilitation.
Colombian militia earning more money from gold than cocaine
According to this article in Bloomberg News, gold is now Colombia’s third largest exported commodity after coal and oil. Illegal gold mines have surpassed cocaine as the main income for Colombian rebel groups. Colonel Hector Paez, director of Colombia’s rural police division, reports that returns from gold mining operations are five times greater than those from cocaine trafficking. Paez also states that gold has become the preferred source of income for terrorist groups due to high profit margins, ease of production, and legality.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) are two main militia groups using violence against the Colombian government and profiting from illegal gold mines. Rural police forces are actively combating the informal mining sector and have dismantled 336 mines this year. Colombian Mining Sector President Cesar Diaz estimates that 85 percent of Colombia’s total exported gold (70 metric tons in 2012) is mined illegally. Since the rise in gold production, there has been a 25 percent drop in cocaine production, directly linking gold profits to armed militias. Colonel Paez noted that illegal mining of other materials such as colton and limestone has also increased.
While cocaine requires substantial knowledge and at least six months to produce, mining operations can extract two kilograms of gold every week. Depending on market prices, an ounce of gold is around nineteen times more valuable than an ounce of cocaine. Although many gold mines in Colombia are illegal, the law has no restrictions on the precious metal once it is out of the mine. Since cocaine is always considered an illegal substance, gold is much easier to move through markets.
Illegal gold mines are not an uncommon occurrence, they are flourishing in other parts of the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Brazil produce a large amount of gold and other minerals, often known as conflict minerals. Rebel groups in these countries control these illegal mines and produce mineral wealth used to fund conflict. Workers in these mines are often enslaved and receive no money for the dangerous labor. CNN estimates that there are 2 million people currently working in the DRC mines, most of whom are slaves.
Join Made In A Free World in asking corporations to make ethical choices and fight against conflict minerals!
Made In A Free World's Trafficking Report #9
1. There are Nearly 30 Million People Enslaved Today
According to the first ever Global Slavery Index (GSI), released on October 17, 2013, nearly 30 million people are currently enslaved all around the world. Previous to this report, the number was understood to be approximately 27 million people. Walk Free Foundation, an anti-slavery organization, gathered updated numbers regarding the prevalence of slavery in 162 countries in order to compile the index.
The GSI ranked the ten countries ranked highest make up 76 percent of the world’s total enslaved population in various industries. In order, the most affected countries include India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh. There could be as many as 14 million people enslaved in India alone. Researcher, author, and contemporary slavery professor, Kevin Bales says that corruption, not poverty, is the key contributor to the increase in slavery. He hopes that the report will continue to call the attention of governments and motivate them to act.
2. Playstation Manufacturer Using Forced Student Labor
According to Chinese press reports, students at the Xi’an Institute of Technology are forced to work in a Foxconn manufacturing plant in Yantai assembling the new Sony game console, PlayStation 4. Thousands of the institute’s students are reportedly forced to work in the factory full-time and without pay. If students refuse to work, they will lose 6 credit hours, preventing them from graduating on time. Students initially believed the system was an internship similar to those in which many college students participate. However, their assigned jobs at the company are completely unrelated to their individual fields of study. For example, a finance and accounting student spends his hours gluing together parts for the PlayStation 4. Foxconn denies the allegations that they utilize forced labor, telling newspapers that students work under a voluntary basis and are free to leave.
This is not Foxconn’s first incident involving unfair labor practices. About a year ago, there were almost identical reports discussing Foxconn’s use of forced labor in the manufacturing of the Apple iPhone 5. So before purchasing the new PS4, consider the demand that fuels this worker abuse. Send a letter to Sony asking them to become Made In A Free World!
3. Know The Chain Supports Supply Chain Transparency
A new online tool called Know The Chain seeks to educate consumers and businesses about slavery in company supply chains. Know The Chain encourages companies to comply with the regulations of the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, or SB-657. This Act requires California-based manufacturers to publicly report their efforts to eliminate slavery from their supply chains. The tool allows consumers to view which companies have and have not agreed to comply with SB-657. Transparent supply chains are an important step in ending slavery. Know The Chain allows businesses and consumers a way to work together to accomplish this goal.
4. Illegal Gold Mines In Peru Raise Concern
Reports indicate that one-fifth of all gold produced in Peru is mined illegally. Within these illegal mines, between 15,000 and 50,000 workers labor without contracts, under hazardous conditions in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Verité', an anti-forced labor nonprofit organization, conducted a recent study of Peruvian mining conditions. One of the authors of the study, Quinn Kepes, warns that the slavery-tainted gold comprises “a good percentage of the gold that's making its way into our wedding rings or cell phones.” Those enslaved in the illegal gold mines face many dangers, including mercury poisoning, disease, and violence. Some well-known jewelry companies have aligned with the No Dirty Gold campaign, which works to ensure ethical gold mining operations. Although the Peruvian government has made attempts to address this injustice, conflicts over land ownership have interfered with the efforts.
5. Houston Raid Rescues 12 Victims And Arrests 14 Traffickers
Houston’s Human Trafficking Task Force (HTTF) recently conducted a raid on multiple bars/brothels in Houston, resulting in the arrests of six men and seven women. Police charged the perpetrators with conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, commit sex trafficking, and launder money. The perpetrators were arrested for forcing undocumented Mexican women into prostitution in the Houston brothels. The HTTF successfully recovered 12 survivors in the raid, who are now receiving recovery services from non-governmental organizations. Houston is notorious for being one of the highest areas of trafficking in the United States. Fortunately, state and local authorities are giving the problem the attention it needs and continue efforts to eliminate slavery from Houston.
6. Home Secretary Theresa May commits to ending modern day slavery
On October 17, 2013, United Kingdom Home Secretary, Theresa May, spoke to the Gangmaster’s Licensing Authority (GLA) at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC); pledging her career to ending modern-day slavery. In her address, Secretary May called attention to the presence of exploitation and slavery in production systems. She encourages retailers to align with the Retailer Supply Protocol, which explains how the GLA will work with business consumers to prevent forced labor. According to May, she and the UK government will not tolerate labor exploitation and are doing everything in their power to fight it.
7. Five Women Rescued In Birmingham Raids
Police in Birmingham, England, rescued five women in raids conducted on nine suspected local brothels. The raids were part of Operation Sentinel, a regional effort to fight human trafficking. Authorities arrested two women and three men under suspicion of managing the brothels. Tim Bacon, Detective Superintendent, stated that he and his force are devoted to ending modern-day slavery in the area, and that “we're also sending out a strong message to the traffickers that they're not going to get away with using our area as a place to commit this appalling abuse.”
8. Beauty Queen uses crown to fight human trafficking and child labor
Twenty-two year old Fiona Amuzie is using her crown as The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria to empower her passion of ending modern-day slavery. Since receiving the title in 2010, Fiona has started her own anti-slavery organization called the Fiona Amuzie Organization Against Trafficking in Persons and Child Labour (FOTIP). The young woman has dedicated her life and goals to aiding survivors of human trafficking and fighting to end this injustice. Campaigns to increase sensitivity and knowledge are key to Fiona’s approach. For example, the Back to School Sensitization and Enlightenment Workshop educated young women in her local community in Abuja, Nigeria about the risks of human trafficking. Fiona places a large emphasis on education, stating; “It’s a lack of education that gets them in the situation [human trafficking] in the first place.”
Freedom Of Choice
It’s something we think we are born with. From our earliest recollection we have been using something we completely take for granted. Freedom of Choice. Should I play with the red rattle or the blue one? Should I eat the peas or the applesauce? Hopscotch or Jungle Gym? Spanish or French? Goth or Punk? You get the point. We choose. We get to choose. Sometimes life’s abundance of choices can make us feel overwhelmed, trapped even, but really for the most part, we get to choose.
Freedom of choice can be as unconscious as breathing to the extent that we aren’t even aware we’re exercising it. For 27 million people around the world today, the freedom to choose is far beyond their reach.
I have met 5-year-old boys fishing on boats who are unable to choose when, or if, they get to sleep or eat. I’ve met little girls in tent cities perched on hills who can’t choose to sleep inside their master’s tent during the rains. I’ve met men who can’t choose whether or not to jump onto a dangerous fishing trawler that won’t see land for 3 years. I’ve met women in the streets who can’t choose who they sleep with. Freedom of choice is not even a faint reality for these and countless others.
Perhaps you know these stories already. What you may not know is that our day-to-day choices are directly connected to their lack of choice. The age old system of supply and demand is the engine that allows slavery to thrive.
So let’s turn this system on it’s head. Let’s exercise our freedom to choose because there is so much good we can do with it!
We can choose to invite companies to become Made In A Free World by establishing greater transparency and standards in their supply chains. We can choose to use our social networks to inspire and educate our peers around the issue of slavery. We can choose to donate to rescue and rehabilitation projects around the world. You see, freedom of choice is really about choosing freedom - for ourselves and others.
Made In A Free World believes that freedom is a universal human right. We believe that the power to free millions is in our hands, and in our choices. We see a unified front of beautiful and free individuals who view their freedom as a tool, not an inheritance. So we want to know: Are you are with us?! Will you commit your freedom of choice for the freedom of others?
I’m asking that you pledge your freedom of choice by signing up to our #IChooseFreedom Campaign. If you do this, we’ll commit to bringing you strategic opportunities to use your freedom to free others. Together we’ll turn our freedom of choice into freedom for all.
Until We Are All Free,
Justin Dillon
Made In A Free World's Trafficking Report #5
1. Arkansas cracks down on human trafficking
According to Polaris Project, Arkansas is one of 39 states that has strengthened human trafficking laws this year. Under the new legislation, this injustice is a Class Y felony and perpetrators can be sentenced to anywhere between 10 - 40 years in prison. In addition to the new laws, the National Human Trafficking hotline number will now be posted in various businesses.
2. UK Home Secretary makes fighting modern-day slavery a priority
Recent headlines have brought the prevalence of modern-day slavery to the attention of Theresa May, the Home Secretary of the United Kingdom. Secretary May states; "Vulnerable people from all over the globe are trafficked into Britain every day," and regardless of their nationality, "our first concern must be to free them.” To this end, Britain has introduced the new Modern Slavery Bill. With this new legislation, traffickers and slave masters now face up to 14 years in prison.
3. Wisconsin is one of the three states with the highest sex trafficking rate in the nation
Last week, prevention educator, Michelle Mayefske, spoke to a room full of professionals at the Lakeshore Community Action Program about how human trafficking exists in their home state of Wisconsin. Mayefske informed the audience that Georgia, California and Wisconsin are the states where sex trafficking is most prevalent. Across the nation, 80% of victims are U.S. citizens, 40 - 50% are children, and the average age is 12 years-old.
4. Pope Francis announces a human trafficking meeting in Vatican City
This week, Pope Francis announced that the human trafficking meeting will be held this November in Vatican City. A few months ago, the Pope publicly stated his desire to increase efforts to fight human trafficking. The November meeting will include experts from Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, as well as Pope Francis and other clergy members who will derive a “Vatican action plan” to help fight modern-day slavery.
5. Penn State Law student tackles modern-day slavery
Penn State law student, Erika Dixon, says “Education is the key to preventing trafficking and rescuing victims.” Dixon spent her summer break planning a day-long human trafficking conference to be held next month at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. With keynote speakers such as representatives U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a human trafficking survivor, planning this conference was no small endeavor.
6. Taiwanese human trafficking ring busted last week
Last Thursday, police and immigration officers to Taiwan arrested 11 traffickers and freed 10 Indonesian women. One of the suspects, an Indonesian woman, targeted women in Northern Indonesia by telling them they could receive money by working as hostesses in karaoke bars. However, when they reached Taiwan, these women were locked in rooms in Chiayi, forced to take drugs, and become sex slaves. Sadly, since the initial arrest, this Indonesian trafficker and two other suspects have been released on bail.
7. There is hope for me: One woman’s story of survival
Over 20 years ago, at the age of 13, Kat Rosenblatt was sold to a brothel by a friend’s father for the price of $40. After years of forced prostitution and drugs, Kat was freed but did not know what to do with her life and unfortunately became involved with other pimps. She finally escaped this lifestyle. It took Kat many years to be able to talk about the years of abuse. She recently started an organization called “There is hope for me,” working with women and young girls who are victims of the same injustice.
