Diamonds- until death do us part
You’ve probably heard the phrase ”Blood Diamond” before. Possibly you’ve seen the film. And if you’re even vaguely familiar with the subject, you’d probably wish you didn’t know that beneath the sparkle of a ‘girl’s best friend’, lies a very unsettling contradiction. In Zimbabwe, like in many parts of Africa, diamonds are seen as a major … Read more
Global News
Benin- 87 traffickers have been prosecuted and jailed the National Agency for the Prohibition for Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) while it has also rehabilitated more than 4,000 victims since establishing in 2003. There are many Nigerian women forced in the sex industry in Europe (around 10,000 in Italy alone). A project has been commissioned for … Read more
Anti Slavery Day UK just around the corner
The UK’s first anti-slavery day is just around the corner on the 18th October, 2010. The Anti-Slavery Day Act was passed into law just before the general election, providing a chance for raising awareness about the many people in the UK and around the world who continue to be trapped in exploitation. It is also … Read more
Global News 17/09/2010
PHILIPPINES-268 human trafficking victims, some of them minors, have been rescued from from 10 bars and night clubs in Pampanga. The Philippines is in danger of losing about $250-million in aid from the US if it does not improve prosecution of trafficking cases. Since 2003, only 23 cases led to convictions. ENGLAND- An Indian man … Read more
The Dark reality of child beggars in Dakar
“Abdoulaye Ba, 10, looked right, then left, before timidly approaching the taxi and holding out his hand.” A 10-year-old begging is nothing new in Dakar, “but the fear in his eyes is” (http://ow.ly/2Ey8f). A few days ago police chased him away from the intersection where he used to beg as part of a national ban … Read more
Virginity for sale just around the corner from Harrods, UK
A letter is delivered by an Iranian trafficking ring to a London Hotel. It reads: ‘I have 12 girls ready from the age 14-20 years, who are living all over the UK…” A girl’s photograph can be sent to potential clients to show them what is on offer. The trafficking ring moves girls across the … Read more
Global Newsround 10/09/2010
Honolulu – a company victimized nearly 900 Thai workers, more than double the 400 cited in a grand jury indictment that alleges forced labour at farms in Hawaii and on the mainland. The CEO of the company that provided the workers has had bail set at $1million. Belfast – a crime gang controlled by a Scottish … Read more
Global Newsround 03/09/10
Spain- police have broken up a human-trafficking ring for male prostitution, the first case of its kind. The alleged victims were given stimulant drugs to make them available for sex 24 hours a day. U.S.- in another unusual case, a bondsman has been arrested in an unusual charge of forced labor after he was accused … Read more
Talking about Trafficking…
We think it’s great that Channel 4 in the UK has had a string of programmes on Human Trafficking and exploitation. Some of you may have watched “I am Slave“, the Dispatches on “Britain’s Secret Slaves” or last night’s first part of “The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Traffickers“. It’s good news that these have helped to get everyone talking about … Read more
Global News 27/07/10
SWEDEN - 8 people were charged with trafficking 10 African women, intimidating them into prostitution by using means of vodoo and debt bondage. A 16 year old girl was forced to continue to pay half of her earnings even after her debt was repaid. GREECE- 2 Bulgarian nationals have been arrested and charged with human trafficking along with … Read more
Slavery Remembrance Day 23rd August, 2010
Today marks the 12th International Slavery Remembrance Day for the abolition of the Slave Trade. We had our delightful Victoria Kuhr on BBC’s breakfast radio in Plymouth this morning, speaking STOP THE TRAFFIK’s part on what slavery looks like today. The date commemorates those who worked together around the world to end an inhuman system, … Read more
News Summaries 20/08/2010
Iraq – US Embassy advisors conducted a human trafficking seminar for female Iraqi Police officers, to equip students with the tools to deal with victims who rarely come to the forefront with information. UK- A new police report reveals at least 2,600 women have been trafficked into England and Wales and forced to work as … Read more
Poundland to grow: value for injustice?
Recently, I blogged about Poundland and their use of slave labour in their supply chain: http://stopthetraffik.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/from-slaveland-to-poundland/ Well, guess what? They are now on the hunt for BIGGER and MORE stores after a 130% rise in annual profits: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/19/poundland-discount-retail-retail But while consumers chase value, they must ask themselves whether Poundland are really their shopping list justice. … Read more
Albino hunter sells victim
A 28-year-old Kenyan has been arrested by Tanzanian police for trying to sell another man for his body parts. In a sting operation, police pretended to be businessmen buying albino body parts, which are highly prized in Tanzania by witchdoctors for their alleged healing properties. Police struck a deal equivalent to over $250,000 with the man … Read more
International Baby Shopping
Adopting a baby can be a huge responsibility. I just came across an old article in The Times called “Baby trafficking may not be all bad.” It spoke of the line between wealthy celebrity adoptions, and the demand this potentially creates for trafficking in babies. I am about to summarize a few ideas from that … Read more
Global News 12/08/2010
India- Operating across the country and neighbouring Nepal, a gang lured over 200 girls and boys and sold them in West Asian countries and Saudi Arabia. Officials were suspicious on detecting the age on passports slightly scratched. US- Online classified advertising site Craiglist has been described as “the Wal-Mart of online sex trafficking” of underage … Read more
Global News 06/08/2010
Good News Malaysia- Victims of human trafficking in Malaysia are now going to be treated as such instead of taken to immigration detention at the airport where they are sometimes kept for many months. Nigeria- A Nigerian teenager stopped alleged traffickers from transporting her and 5 other girls to work as prostitutes by shouting to … Read more
Global News 30/07/2010
South Asia Follow Siddharth Kara as he researches trafficking around South Asia. He will be accessing the heart of the problem, telling CNN.com readers what he discovers every week over the next ten weeks. So far “…it’s not just construction, but commercial sex, agriculture, mining, leatherwork’s, fishing… Business is business and slavery is no different.” … Read more
Cocoa Journalists in the Ivory Coast locked up
The latest news coming out of the Ivory Coast suggests its not just victims trafficked into chocolate production whose freedom is at stake. Even the reporters trying to highlight things in the cocoa industry those in power would rather keep hidden, are having their freedom taken away. Since journalists are particularly important in providing public … Read more
Global News 23/7/2010
Africa 19 human traffickers have been caught and 625 victims reintegrated into communities across Ghana. The survivors have also been given formal education and skills training. Research suggests 70% of human trafficking cases in Ghana are internal with 78% of victims between 6-15 years old. Low participation and progress of women in society is likely … Read more
From Slaveland to Poundland
Have you ever been into a Pound/Dollar/Euro shop and like me, wondered, who (when you save so much) actually gains from what you buy? This question has never been more relevant than it is today. In Poundland, for £1 (the equivalent of about $1.5 or just over €1), you can buy anything from a notebook … Read more
Global news round 16/07/20
UK ECPAT UK and the Body Shop launched a new petition calling on government to introduce a new strategy of guardianship. Research found 55% of children who have been identified as trafficked go missing from local authority care and are never found. It is believed this is because the trafficker has found them or they … Read more
Newsround 9/7/10
Canada – 11 women rescued from forced prostitution in massage parlour A popular Richmond Hill massage parlour has been raided over the weekend. 11 women were found inside, however only one was willing to give a statement against the men who police believe were running the parlour. The women were forced to provide sexual services … Read more
NEWSROUND 2/7/2010
Five Ukrainians charged in human trafficking ring in US Five Ukrainians were charged in Washington with running a human trafficking ring that forced migrants to clean US chain stores such as Target and Walmart. The victims, mainly young Ukrainians, were subjected to rape and other physical violence, slave-like conditions, debt bondage (ranging from 10,000 to … Read more
NEWSROUND 24/06/2010
KOSOVO- Source, Transit & Destination for victims Kosovo is not only the source but also the transit and final destination for most women and children who sadly fall victims of human trafficking. The majority of the victims are from Eastern Europe, from the following places like Moldova, Albania, Bulgaria and Serbia and are found as … Read more
KICK OFF STOPPING THE TRAFFIK
Hey Everone, I hope you’re having a great day! If you haven’t already grab your free copy of the METRO today 23rd June 2010- STOP THE TRAFFIK are mentioned! As England’s game is about to kick off today in the WORLD CUP, Graeme Green highlights the dark secret threatening South Africa’s hospitality. “Wherever there’s a … Read more
TIP report: Trafficking in Persons 2010- more than just a diplomatic tool?
The 10th annual TIP Report outlines the continuing challenges around the world in the fight against trafficking. Including 177 nations, its findings will raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in people. Many key trends were identified, including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the … Read more
Newsround 18/06/10
US Media Coverage of human trafficking admonished Examining the role of the media in exposing human trafficking, UN Diplomats and researchers urged journalists not to dwell on the sensationalist and salacious details of sex trafficking when reporting on the fight against human trafficking. A senior fellow for Investigative Journalism says “when I met my first … Read more
