By Vanessa León, Intern, International Labor Rights Forum
Twenty-seven hours into my internship at ILRF and I already find myself on Capitol Hill. It’s a bittersweet feeling really. On the one hand, I am excited to be amongst the hustle and bustle of the Hill while at the same time uneasy about the reason for which the hearing was held for in the first place. That reason you ask? Human trafficking- definitely an all bitter, not at all sweet topic.
Human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), is the induction of a person to perform labor or commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that at least 12.3 million children and adults are in forced labor, bonded labor and commercial sex servitude at any given time. This $28 billion enterprise preys on some of the most vulnerable populations with promises of employment only to later entrap them in an endless organized crime network negligent of basic freedoms and proper health and safety conditions. Second only to the drug trade, this business thrives on the fact that humans, unlike drugs, can be sold over and over again. Sold?! Really? What are we, some type of produce on aisle seven?!
Twenty-seven hours into my internship at ILRF and I already find myself on Capitol Hill. It’s a bittersweet feeling really. On the one hand, I am excited to be amongst the hustle and bustle of the Hill while at the same time uneasy about the reason for which the hearing was held for in the first place. That reason you ask? Human trafficking- definitely an all bitter, not at all sweet topic.
Human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), is the induction of a person to perform labor or commercial sex acts through force, fraud, or coercion. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that at least 12.3 million children and adults are in forced labor, bonded labor and commercial sex servitude at any given time. This $28 billion enterprise preys on some of the most vulnerable populations with promises of employment only to later entrap them in an endless organized crime network negligent of basic freedoms and proper health and safety conditions. Second only to the drug trade, this business thrives on the fact that humans, unlike drugs, can be sold over and over again. Sold?! Really? What are we, some type of produce on aisle seven?!
It’s not uncommon to get riled up when you realize that what you’re talking about isn’t some piece of meat but rather an actual person; someone’s daughter, mother or neighbor. This was all too obvious inside the Rayburn Home Office Building room that I found myself in. One extra hot topic: Vietnam. Tempers flared as the pressure was directed towards the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons to move Vietnam’s 2009 tier ranking from Tier 2 to Tier 3 in the soon to be released 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report (Can’t wait? See the 2009 report here). U.S. Congressmen James P. McGovern and Frank R. Wolfe, Co-Chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, were quick to point out that the more than 80,000 Vietnamese nationals exported each year highlighted the inadequate efforts brought forth by the Vietnamese government to prevent labor trafficking and protect workers going abroad. Guess what country made it to the even more severe Tier 2 Watch List ranking for its trafficking and forced child labor in the cotton industry?
The hearing took on a more positive tone when we got to hear how some non-profits are fighting (in some cases, literally) human trafficking by means of education and prevention right here in the United States. From instructing flight attendants how to spot a potential trafficking victim through Operation Blue Lightning to Just Yell Fire’s self defense classes for adolescent girls, organizations are doing what they can to minimize the number of people forced into labor around the world. Check out what other discrimination these preventative methods are saving girls from in the workplace.
If for a second you believe that trafficking is only a problem occurring in some small country you’ve never even heard of, think again. The exploitation of human beings is an epidemic both within and across international borders. That’s right, it’s happening in the United States and as close as our backyards and neighborhood Playground. It is too often that migrant workers are trafficked, forced to work in unfamiliar land and because of their undocumented status, don’t demand their rights for fear of being deported. Regardless of where it’s taking place, human trafficking is wrong and it must me stopped.
I walked away from the Hill reminded that unlike the different opinions we may all have towards politics, the violation of human rights is an issue that should be of grave concern for all, no matter what President’s face we have imprinted on our t-shirts. Human trafficking is a direct infringement on worker’s rights and it is up to us to spread awareness so that this bitter reality can be dealt the sweet taste of justice, liberation and hope.
For more information on human trafficking, check out these sites:
Courtney’s House
Not for Sale Campaign
Polaris Project
Shared Hope International
The Somaly Mam Foundation
The hearing took on a more positive tone when we got to hear how some non-profits are fighting (in some cases, literally) human trafficking by means of education and prevention right here in the United States. From instructing flight attendants how to spot a potential trafficking victim through Operation Blue Lightning to Just Yell Fire’s self defense classes for adolescent girls, organizations are doing what they can to minimize the number of people forced into labor around the world. Check out what other discrimination these preventative methods are saving girls from in the workplace.
If for a second you believe that trafficking is only a problem occurring in some small country you’ve never even heard of, think again. The exploitation of human beings is an epidemic both within and across international borders. That’s right, it’s happening in the United States and as close as our backyards and neighborhood Playground. It is too often that migrant workers are trafficked, forced to work in unfamiliar land and because of their undocumented status, don’t demand their rights for fear of being deported. Regardless of where it’s taking place, human trafficking is wrong and it must me stopped.
I walked away from the Hill reminded that unlike the different opinions we may all have towards politics, the violation of human rights is an issue that should be of grave concern for all, no matter what President’s face we have imprinted on our t-shirts. Human trafficking is a direct infringement on worker’s rights and it is up to us to spread awareness so that this bitter reality can be dealt the sweet taste of justice, liberation and hope.
For more information on human trafficking, check out these sites:
Courtney’s House
Not for Sale Campaign
Polaris Project
Shared Hope International
The Somaly Mam Foundation
Today there are 3 times more slaves in America, and the world, than there were 200 years ago.............disgusting. ACTION is called for now! Our goal for 2010: Assist the police arrest 100 traffickers in San Diego by Dec. 31st thru a three-prong campaign of AWARENESS, ACTIVISM, AND ASSEMBLY! Taking 100 traffickers off our streets will probably free over 300 victims from modern day slavery.
The San Diego Coalition to Fight Human Trafficking welcomes new members, simply call 888.206.3264 , email phil@daytonhumantraffickingaccords.com or click on to our MeetUp website at: http://www.meetup.com/San-Diego-Coalition-to-Fight-Human-Trafficking/
Peace,
Philip J. Cenedella
The Dayton Human Trafficking Accords
WHEREAS,
WE can end human trafficking and slavery, but only if we solemnly commit ourselves to that common purpose.
We must confront the global scourge of trafficking and slavery beginning in our own local communities.
We as individuals and all institutions of society have a moral responsibility to end trafficking and free slaves from their captivity.
NOW THEREFORE,
WE undertake a solemn commitment, beginning now, to end the scourge of trafficking and slavery
And to take immediate action in our communities to
Stir society’s conscience to action against trafficking and slavery
Rescue and restore victims of trafficking and slavery
Identify and punish traffickers and slavers
Promote legislation and public policies to eradicate trafficking and slavery
Address the social, cultural and economic causes of trafficking and slavery
So that
We will end human trafficking in our time.
www.daytonhumantraffickingaccords.com
Posted by: Philip Cenedella | April 06, 2010 at 12:56 AM