Khaleej Times- Experts call for review of human trafficking law

The Dubai Public Prosecution’s office general attorney has admitted the UAE federal law on human trafficking is vague and is now advocating for a change.  He says the current form hindered prosecution,  did not detail acts that constituted human trafficking and was inadequate in outlining the procedures to be followed when violation was suspected.

Canadian Press-Ottawa to make sure no human trafficking problem at Olympics

The federal government is keeping an eye on Vancouver’s Olympic Games to ensure they do not further support human trafficking. Canada’s public safety minister said, “My view is that human trafficking is not a problem only at the Olympics. it’s a problem for Canada at all times at special events … we’re working with local police on the range of those issues.”

NY Daily News- She survived the horror Ex-’chica’ takes aim at trafficking

Kika Cerpa, a native of Venezuela, was lured to the United States by her boyfriend in 1993. When she arrived at age 20, her boyfriend’s cousin took her passport, her life savings and told her she had to pay off her debt by working at a brothel.  Now, Cerpa is working with the local authorities to educate the public on the dangers of force prostitution.

BBC – Bangalore baby allegedly rented out to beggars to net cash

“Child welfare officials are investigating the case of a baby who was reportedly rented out to beggars in the southern Indian city of Bangalore. The nanny reportedly told the parents she would ‘rent’ the baby for 100 rupees ($2) a day to beggars who attract more sympathy with an infant. She was found out when the mother came home early to find her child missing.”

NYUNews.com – Michael Bloomberg, actress Emma Thompson open ‘provocative’ exhibit on sex trafficking

“Many people know Emma Thompson as Nanny McPhee or Professor Sybil Trelawney from the Harry Potter films. But yesterday the British actress took a break from film and joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and NYU President John Sexton outside the Silver Center to open an art installation intended to raise awareness about sex trafficking.”

“The exhibition, titled ‘Journey,’ is installed inside seven industrial crates, set up on the south side of Washington Place. Each crate takes viewers through a range of emotions that sex slaves feel throughout their journey, ranging from hope to desperation.”

AP – US officials initiate new push against human trafficking

“Fourteen cities are being targeted in a new campaign aimed at alerting people about human trafficking, federal immigration officials have announced.”

“The ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ initiative, sponsored by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, features billboards highlighting ‘the horrors and the prevalence of human trafficking,’ which the agency says is equivalent to ‘modern-day slavery.’”

Ria Novosti – Russia’s Federal Security Service detains 14 suspected human traffickers

“Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained, in cooperation with the Investigation Committee and foreign law enforcement bodies, 14 suspected human traffickers, the service reported Tuesday. The FSB said it had prevented the activities of ‘an organized criminal group that traded in humans for a long time using channels of illegal migration to Western Europe.’”

Examiner.com – Child sex traffickers sentenced to federal prison:

“Two Fort Lauderdale, Florida residents were sentenced to federal prison for running a sex-trafficking operation, disguised as an escort service, using children in South Florida, according to court documents obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.”

The Malaysia Star - Stateless at greater risk of sex trafficking, slavery:

“For thousands of people living along the Thai-Myanmar border, citizenship is a major issue. So major that it could determine whether they end up being trafficked as sex prisoners, child slaves or forced labour. Every year, an estimated 1.2 million child victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation or cheap labour (ILO and Unicef).”

Human Rights Brief – IJM mobilizes supporters to pass child trafficking law:

“Approximately 1.2 million children worldwide are victims of child trafficking each year. Children are trafficked primarily for purposes of domestic labor and sexual exploitation. Although the majority of countries where child trafficking occurs have outlawed the practice, they often lack the necessary resources and training to successfully enforce their laws. This gap in enforcement has moved the International Justice Mission (IJM) to launch a new campaign to raise public awareness and advocate the passage of the U.S. Child Protection Compact Act of 2009 (CPCA).”

AllAfrica.com – Zambia president vows to end gender-based discrimination and violence, supported by IJM Zambia:

“President Rupiah Banda has described violence against women and children as the worst form of human rights violation and said the Government will do everything within its means to end the crime. … Mr Banda paid tribute to United Nations Children Fund, United States for International Development , World Vision, Care International and International Justice Mission for the support.”

Huffington Post (blog) – HRW condemns MONUC in Congo:

“In a damning and stunning statement today, Human Rights Watch (HRW) charged that the United Nations peacekeeping force (MONUC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo ‘knowingly supports abusive military operations’ by the regular Congolese Army (FARDC).”

The Examiner: More than 700 arrested and 50 children rescued in sting

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the rescue of 50 children who were the victims of child prostitution- here, in the United States. 700 other suspects were also arrested, including 60 pimps, on state and local charges over the weekend. The FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state and local law enforcement agencies contributed to the sting known as Operation Cross Country IV.

Blogomonster.com: NBC Dateline’s IJM feature exposes blogger to sex slavery

One blogger writes about sex slavery and how they first became aware of the issue.  They write, “I first became aware of the issue of human trafficking after watching a special on Dateline NBC. The program featured the work of the International Justice Mission (IJM.org), a faith-based human rights agency that seeks to free victims of human trafficking and prosecute the perpetrators. I was horrified by the issue of sexual exploitation and bonded labor. The staggering statistics broke my heart.”

The Business Mirror: Lawyers step up drive vs. human traffickers

Lawyers in the Philippines, including International Justice Mission’s Andrew Sawchenko, are hoping to put more people suspected of criminal exploitation in jail as they continue to crackdown on trafficking within the region.

Sawchenko said, “Since 2007, there has been a huge upswing in the cases filed, and we are looking forward to convictions as we need to establish that there is a significant risk so the people involved in trafficking will have a difficult business decision.”

BBC: Lords consider ’slavery’ offenses

A New parliamentary bill amendment, which aims to protect those being held under practices of servitude and forced labor, is going before the House of Lords in the UK.

Aidan McQuade, from Anti-Slavery International, said: “Forced labor will remain a reality in the UK unless adequate legislation is put in place and enforced…. The existing legal provisions fail to protect victims or ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.”

KCAU-TV (ABC): UNL wants to become center for human trafficking research

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln want to become the new center for research on human trafficking.  Marketing professor Dwayne Ball points out that trafficking is a problem found worldwide, including Nebraska.

To read the stories of two former sex slaves, learn more about modern-day slavery and to see how the work of one young filmmaker is helping to combat injustice, please check out the links below.

Huffington Post: Diary of an escaped sex slave

“You think slavery went out with Abraham Lincoln? Ask my friend Sreypov Chan about that. She’s a cute young Cambodian woman with a love for Kelly Clarkson songs and Tom & Jerry cartoons. But when she was seven years old, her mom sold her into sexual slavery…This month, Marie Claire published Sreypov’s story, along with a photo essay of her work inside one of Phnom Penh’s most notorious brothels.”

Image courtesy of Phnom Penh Post

Phnom Penh Post: Former sex slave wins 2009 Freedom Award

“Sex slave-turned-activist Sina Vann received the Frederick Douglass Award at the 2009 Freedom Awards in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Awarded to those who have survived a form of slavery and are actively helping the lives of others, the Frederick Douglass Award provides US$10,000 to help facilitate current work and another $10,000 as a personal reward.”

Xinhua News: UN reports human trafficking as under-detected crime worldwide

“Human trafficking has become a serious and under-detected crime all around the world, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported on the EU anti-trafficking day. The relevant figure showed that currently, about 2.7 million people worldwide were victims of human trafficking, who were engaged in prostitution, begging, or high-intensity labor in tough conditions, including 1.2 million children victims.”

GulfNews.com: Gregg Helvey’s Kavi highlights modern-day slavery

“This year’s Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) not only showcased blockbuster and independent movies from around the world, but also ensured that films highlighting important issues were given their moments to shine. One such movie is Kavi, a short film by Gregg Halvey, which addresses the issue of modern-day slavery, told through the eyes and experiences of the main character, who lends his name to the title of the film.”

To learn more about current, local and global stories on modern-day slavery, please check out the links below.

NJ.com – “Jury urged to convict woman in Newark human trafficking ring”

A woman in Newark, New Jersey is on trial for her alleged involvement with smuggling more than 20 West African girls to work in her hair braiding salons. The girls, ages 10 to 19, were forced to work 14 hour days without pay. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana W. Chen said, “She knew these girls were young. They were poor. They were uneducated. She knew they wanted a better life and they were susceptible to that promise.”

STL Today – “Study seeks ban on organ trafficking”

Exploiting a living person for the use of living cells or organs is already a crime included under human trafficking laws, but the U.N. and the Council of Europe say there is a need for a global definition.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer - “90210’s McCord fights against human trafficking”

Nip Tuck’s and 90210’s AnnaLynne McCord joins a slew of other celebrities, such as Emma Thompson, Ricky Martin, and Ashley Judd, who are taking a stand against human trafficking.  On her experience with working with non-profit organization, Blind Project, she says, “It’s been really incredible to be able to shed light on a billion-dollar industry that barely anyone knows about.”

BBC – “Stolen youth of South Africa’s child brides”

Girls as young as 11 are being abducted and forced into arranged marriages as part of an ancient cultural custom in areas of South Africa. Now, many of these young brides are finding refuge in local care centers.

Please visit IJM.org to learn how you can help combat modern-day slavery.