Zero Tolerance

New US Human Trafficking Law Mandates Referral of Substantiated Allegations
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New US Human Trafficking Law Mandates Referral of Substantiated Allegations

The US End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022 (“Act”) was signed into law on October 17, 2022. This Act amends the Monitoring and Investigation of Trafficking in Persons statute (22 U.S.C. § 7104b) and requires agencies to refer to the agency’s suspending and debarring official (“SDO”): Substantiated allegations1 of human trafficking against…

Abuses on US bases in Persian Gulf ensnare legions of migrant workers – Stars and Stripes
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Abuses on US bases in Persian Gulf ensnare legions of migrant workers – Stars and Stripes

Foreign workers (migrant workers) for defense contractors on at least four U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf are trapped in their jobs by abusive employment practices that they say prevent them from returning home or even looking for better work in the region, more than 30 current and former workers said in interviews. Many…

Some private contractors are accused of abusive labor practices on US military bases – NBC News
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Some private contractors are accused of abusive labor practices on US military bases – NBC News

Abdulla thought it was the opportunity of a lifetime. After struggling to find work in his home country of Bangladesh, he said a recruiter offered him a chance to work in a restaurant thousands of miles away in Kuwait City for the equivalent of $660 a month. There was a catch: He would have to…

Some private contractors are accused of abusive labor practices on U.S. military bases in Kuwait
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Some private contractors are accused of abusive labor practices on U.S. military bases in Kuwait

Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore. “Our taxpayer dollars are being used potentially to support forced labor and human trafficking, and that’s just unacceptable,” a U.S. government auditor said. Watch video here. By Molly Boigon, Andrew W. Lehren, Laura Strickler, Courtney Kube, Anna Schecter and Yousef H. Alshammari Abdulla thought it was the opportunity of a lifetime….

In a Major Judgment, 21 Customers are Convicted for Buying Minors for Sex
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In a Major Judgment, 21 Customers are Convicted for Buying Minors for Sex

Journey to Justice This milestone case began in September 2017, when IJM helped anti-trafficking police rescue eight girls and 18 women from sexual exploitation at a hotel. It was located near an interstate highway and education hub, leading to big business with truckers, students, and young professionals. Thirty suspects were arrested, including the brothel owners,…

US State Department notes 'significant efforts' made by Ireland to combat human trafficking
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US State Department notes 'significant efforts' made by Ireland to combat human trafficking

The US State Department said it has noted ‘significant efforts’ made by Ireland in combatting human trafficking, according to a statement that was recently released by the Department of Justice. Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, of Fine Gael, welcomed Ireland’s upgrading in the ‘Trafficking in Persons’ (TiPs) Report 2022. The announcement has been acknowledged and reflected in the report from the US State…

Traffickers on the prowl online | The Daily Star
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Traffickers on the prowl online | The Daily Star

Efforts to combat human trafficking need to be coordinated both in cyberspace and the real world, since the menace has latched on to the internet and gotten worse amid the pandemic, said speakers yesterday. They called upon stakeholders, including the government and international partners, to focus on a rights-based approach to prevent exploitation of victims…

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…

ATEST Testifies to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Ways to Plug Gaps in U.S. Anti-trafficking Programs
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ATEST Testifies to House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on Ways to Plug Gaps in U.S. Anti-trafficking Programs

April 27, 2022 • 8:37 am • Terry FitzPatrick ATEST is was well represented at Wednesday’s herring of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Speakers at the session included: ATEST Director Terry FitzPatrick (see written testimony here) ATEST member organization Human Trafficking Legal Center Founder and President Martina Vandenberg (see written…