“Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals. On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all.” –Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. A day that we stand with millions around the world to raise awareness about human trafficking, call for justice of perpetrators, protection for victims, and to give HOPE to those seeking freedom. Join us by participating in the #igivehope campaign and let your voice be heard!
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2016
The U.S. State Department recently released the 2016 TIP Report. This report assesses a government’s efforts to eliminate human trafficking — including prosecution, protection, and prevention. New this year, the report provides ways that governments can identify people who are most at-risk of trafficking and work to reduce their vulnerability.
“It ought to concern every person, because it is a debasement of our common humanity. It ought to concern every community, because it tears at our social fabric. It ought to concern every business, because it distorts markets. It ought to concern every nation, because it endangers public health and fuels violence and organized crime. I’m talking about the injustice, the outrage, of human trafficking, which must be called by its true name — modern slavery.” – President Barack Obama
India’s Efforts and Progress
India remained a Tier 2 country. This means that India’s government does not fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards, but they are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. Specifically, recent data shows that they have “demonstrated vigorous efforts to combat human trafficking but (the data) reflected a relatively low number of law enforcement action for the scale of trafficking in India and a low conviction rate overall.”
The report on India also notes that “…millions of women and children are victims of sex trafficking in India. Traffickers use false promises of employment or arrange sham marriages in India or Gulf States, and then subject women and girls to sex trafficking. In addition to traditional red light districts, women and children increasingly endure sex trafficking in small hotels, vehicles, huts, and private residences”
Recommendations for prosecution, protection, and prevention are also included. You can read the full report on India HERE.
“Money may be able to buy a lot of things, but it should never, ever be able to buy another human being.” – U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry
Human Trafficking in Global Supply Chains
In case you missed it, last year’s report placed a special focus on preventing human trafficking in global supply chains — specifically, calling on private companies to “take action to reduce the likelihood of trafficking in their supply chains and respect the rights of those who work to make their businesses successful.”
At Sudara, we believe that each of us have the power to end human trafficking through our everyday purchases. What can we do?
- Demand that companies end practices that contribute to trafficking throughout their supply chain.
- Choose to only buy from companies that pledge to be slave-free.
- Support companies (like Sudara!) that empower people in marginalized communities through safe, living wage jobs or microloan programs. These companies are creating opportunities for women and men to remain free from slavery and break the generational-cycle of slavery for their family.
“The bottom line is that this is no time for complacency. Right now, across the globe, victims of human trafficking are daring to imagine the possibility of escape, the chance for a life without fear, and the opportunity to earn a living wage. I echo the words of President Obama and say to them: We hear you, and we will do all we can to make that dream come true. In recent decades, we have learned a great deal about how to break up human trafficking networks and help victims recover in safety and dignity. In years to come, we will apply those lessons relentlessly, and we will not rest until modern slavery is ended.” — U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry