Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a term used to describe situations in which individuals are forced to work or provide services under conditions that are exploitative and abusive. Modern slavery can take many different forms, such as human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, or forced marriage. Victims of modern slavery are often deprived of their freedom and are unable to leave their situation due to threats, violence, or other forms of coercion. Modern slavery is a global problem and affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is condemned by international law and is a violation of human rights.

 

 

ATEST Urges Quick Confirmation of Cindy Dyer as Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
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ATEST Urges Quick Confirmation of Cindy Dyer as Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

WASHINGTON – The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) applauds President Biden’s recent nomination of Cindy Dyer to direct the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), with the rank of Ambassador at Large. We urge the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the full Senate to quickly confirm her nomination.

Trapped at sea: how U.K. migration policies drive exploitation in fishing
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Trapped at sea: how U.K. migration policies drive exploitation in fishing

Imagine being trapped on a boat with no toilets or showers, facing sea conditions that the vessel is not fit for. This is the reality of James*, a migrant fisherman working in the U.K.   What bothers him most is the cold; there is no heater and temperatures drop below 0°C (32° F). But James…

Data leaked on the whereabouts of thousands of missing Uyghurs
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Data leaked on the whereabouts of thousands of missing Uyghurs

Uyghur activist Nursimangul Abdureshid is a refugee in Turkey. She lost contact with her family five years ago and did not know where they were until 2020. Through the Chinese embassy in Ankara, she was able to confirm that her parents and her younger brother, Memetili, had been imprisoned on terrorism charges. Thanks to the…

Will states stick by safe migration commitments?
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Will states stick by safe migration commitments?

The UN’s first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) got underway this week, a platform to assess how member states are progressing in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in what could be “a moment to renew our commitment to the rights of migrants.”

ATEST Endorses Key Bills to Reauthorize and Strengthen Federal Anti-Trafficking Programs
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ATEST Endorses Key Bills to Reauthorize and Strengthen Federal Anti-Trafficking Programs

WASHINGTON — The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) is pleased to announce its endorsement of four bills that will reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). The bills each address different components of U.S. anti-trafficking policy and will progress U.S. government efforts to combat the scourge of labor and sex trafficking both inside…

Could the Ukraine invasion transform E.U. asylum policy?
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Could the Ukraine invasion transform E.U. asylum policy?

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February, the European Union has opened its borders to millions of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. This show of humanity and compassion from the bloc toward refugees is heartening, but also exceptional in recent decades.   Will the E.U.’s reaction to the Ukraine crisis set a new precedent…

Uyghur communities urge UN human rights chief to investigate
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Uyghur communities urge UN human rights chief to investigate

This week Uyghur Muslim refugees in Turkey organized a press conference in Istanbul to urge UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to independently investigate “re-education camps” and allegations of massive rights abuses including forced labor, torture, and genocide when she finally visits China’s Uyghur Region later this month.  International pressure is intensifying, and Michelle Bachelet…

Refugees at Risk: UNODC Uncovers Human Trafficking at Camp in Malawi
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Refugees at Risk: UNODC Uncovers Human Trafficking at Camp in Malawi

(UNODC) and the Malawian Police Service. Now measures are underway to dismantle the human trafficking networks operating within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp, identify and rescue their victims and bring those responsible to justice. “The situation was much worse than we first envisaged,” says UNODC’s Maxwell Matewere, who initially visited the camp in October 2020 where…

Former domestic worker exploited in France rebuilds life
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Former domestic worker exploited in France rebuilds life

Speaking to VICE News this week, former domestic worker Inès shared her experiences of servitude in France where she thought she would be able to pursue an education. Trained as a nail technician in a French-speaking African country., Inès had aspirations of moving abroad to continue her education. Her boss suggested she move to France where…