#traffickingreport

[madeinafreeworld]

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.

[madeinafreeworld]

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.

[madeinafreeworld]

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.”

[madeinafreeworld]

Made In A Free World's Trafficking Report #8

1. Shipwreck off Italian coast results in 274 deaths, reveals trafficking ring

At least 274 Eritrean and Somali migrants died as a result of a recent shipwreck off the coast of Italy. Italian police are likely to charge survivor and boat captain, Khaled Ben Salem, with trafficking in humans and numerous counts of voluntary manslaughter. Ben Salem reportedly chose to load the boat past capacity. Witness accounts say that he was responsible for lighting the cloth which began an enormous fire on deck. Efforts to escape the blaze led to a large shift of weight, therefore causing the ship to capsize. The surviving migrants stated in interviews that they were forced to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 each for their journey, which was intended to end in Libya. There are 155 people who survived the tragedy, but authorities continue the search for 100 unlocated bodies.

2.  Louisiana teen will start her own non-profit to address slavery

When 14 year-old Bryttani MacNamara learned about modern-day slavery, she acted with maturity beyond her years. MacNamara says that the passion to fight slavery took hold when she discovered statistics surrounding trafficking in the United States. As she said to the American Press, “It’s not just the Third World countries, it’s actually in the U.S. too.” She organized a walk and a lemonade stand to support funds for the cause, raising a total of $700. She posted flyers all around her local community, and is helping plan a 2.7 mile walk in April, which will be followed by a seminar. In addition to all of this, MacNamara is currently starting her own non-profit organization called Operation Hope.  By the time she finishes high school, MacNamara hopes to start a home in her community for girls who have survived sex trafficking. Her inspiring story demonstrates that anyone can make a difference in the fight for freedom.

3. US applauds progress in efforts to fight slavery

In a report published Monday, October 1, 2013, the United States commended ten different countries in Latin America and Asia for their “significant advancement” in efforts against human trafficking. These ten countries contribute to the 143 total countries the U.S. Department of Labor reported as making at least “moderate progress” to combat slavery. A few of the countries where visible progress is being made are Indonesia, Peru, and Ecuador. Other countries have pledged to fight forced labor, and particularly child labor. The Department of Labor was able to remove three products from their list of goods produced with forced labor, including diamonds from Zimbabwe, charcoal from Namibia, and tobacco from Kazakhstan. However, the list still contains 134 goods produced with slavery, like soccer balls and bricks, from countries such as India. As Labor Secretary Thomas Perez states, “We’re moving in the right direction, but we have a lot more work to be done.”

4. NFL quarterback fights the use of conflict minerals

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke last week in support of Raise Hope for Congo, a human rights campaign by the Enough Project, a non-profit organization. In an ESPN radio broadcast, Rodgers discussed minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) used in smartphones, the production of which adds fuel to the ongoing conflict in the DRC and surrounding countries. Warlords in the mineral mines use extreme violence, pillaging, and rape to enslave citizens in dangerous mining jobs. Many children are also forced to become soldiers and engage in the conflict. Rodgers’ partnership with Raise Hope for Congo seeks to raise awareness about this injustice so people can stand together in forcing companies to use conflict-free minerals. One way to ask businesses to produce conflict-free and slave-free items is by using the Made In A Free World Action Center.

5. New historical film asks audience to acknowledge slavery as a modern problem

Steve McQueen’s new movie entitled 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free man kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Although the film has a historical setting, its themes and messages ring true in the fight against modern-day slavery. This is why Stella Dawson writes that the movie “resonates today and forbids us from looking at slavery as an historical anomaly.” In other words, Dawson asks viewers not to isolate the atrocity of slavery to one period in time, but to realize the physical and psychological abuse in the film is also happening today. The film is set to release in the United States on October 13, 2013.

6. Virginia Governor expands fight against human trafficking in recent summit

In the first ever Governor’s Summit on Human Trafficking, Governor Bob McDonnell asked his cabinet to form a committed and inclusive approach to fighting modern-day slavery. During the summit, Governor McDonnell said, “Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world. This horrible crime generates billions of dollars in profits by victimizing people through control and exploitation. We have worked over the last three years to strengthen Virginia's laws against human trafficking, but there is more to be done to combat this growing crime.” The governor will work with local and state government officials to create comprehensive solutions to the problem, provide rehabilitation for survivors, and raise awareness.

7. Reporter asks fashion brands to reinvent their supply chains

Lucy Siegle of The Guardian is working with famous fashion brands to stop human rights violations, stop using forced labor, and improve their supply chains. Siegle discusses her desire to avoid catastrophes such as the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh six months ago. The Rana Plaza tragedy was caused by unsafe working conditions and killed at least 1,133 people and injured 2,500 others. According to Siegle, factory fires and collapses are common in the garment industry, due to its fast-paced nature and large output demands. Brands such as H&M and Primark have signed the Bangladesh Fire and Safety accord, which seeks to improve worker safety in Bangladesh through public reports and inspections. Siegle notes that although brands are taking steps toward cleaner supply chains, there is a long road ahead in ensuring worker safety and worker rights.

At Made In A Free World, we know knowledge is the first step in ending modern-day slavery. To learn more about the issue, please visit our brand new website and say #IChooseFreedom.