The year 2020 brings several important anniversaries. It’s the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Palermo Protocol, the landmark treaty to confront modern forms of slavery worldwide. It’s the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the...
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report illustrates “the commitment of our country that we have this joint effort underway across the entire United States government” to combat modern slavery. “Human trafficking is as old as...
Their living and working conditions were dangerous and dreadful. Elias Vieira da Silva and Nerisvan da Silva Elias survived in a dilapidated shack, sleeping on hammocks and pelted by rain. They had no clean drinking water. There was no bathroom. They endured frequent...
One reason Brazil is a world leader in fighting modern slavery is the existence of the country’s National Commission for the Eradication of Slave Labor (Conatrae). The commission helps coordinate anti-trafficking efforts of governmental agencies, law enforcement,...
Sewing factories that use slaves to make cheap clothes have become one of the newest battle fronts in the fight against human trafficking. A new investigation by one of our Brazilian partner organizations unveils just how important this effort can be. Repórter Brasil...
Political candidates are often asked to take pledges to win votes. In the U.S., many candidates pledge to never raise taxes or to safeguard reproductive rights for women. In Brazil, our front-line partner organization has been asking politicians to promise that...
The world’s attention shifts to Brazil today, where Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull will open the FIFA World Cup tournament with the song Ole Ola (We are One), and soccer teams will begin competition to determine who is the world’s best. But far from the soccer stadiums, a...
Not many people would consider the pope to be a fighter, but if it is against human trafficking, then you can count Pope Francis in. The National Catholic Bishops Conference of Brazil this week launched their 51st annual Brotherhood Campaign. This year, the 2014...
It takes a special kind of person to fight for freedom and justice in dangerous hot spots where slavery still thrives. It takes a resilient and resourceful spirit to assist impoverished and marginalized people in their struggle to break free. But that's the job...
Have you ever wondered if the shirt on your back -- or that new one on the rack -- may have been made by slaves? Now there’s an app for that. FTS frontline partner group Repórter Brasil has launched a free application for smartphones that evaluates popular clothing...
In you live in South Florida, this event next Thursday is for you! In recognition of National Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Broward College, in partnership with Free the Slaves, will host a day-long conference titled “Human Trafficking: Exposing...
It’s an ancient abuse. But it persists throughout the world today. Slavery remains one of the greatest human rights challenges of history. Modern-day slavery looks different than the sailing ships and shackles we learned about in high school history class. Today, it’s...
They’re committed. They’re armed. And they’re successful. Very successful. Like 46,000 slaves freed since 1995 successful. They’re the labor department’s mobile inspection units in Brazil. They swoop down on farms, ranches, mines, quarries, logging camps and factories...
I’d like to introduce you to five of the most passionate people I know. They are the Free the Slaves country directors – our key front line activists. They supervise our organization’s fieldwork in the world’s worst slavery hotspots. Why do these courageous staffers...
Teachers in Brazil say the anti-slavery movement needs an infusion of fun to motivate children to think about trafficking. So, activists have created an imaginative and playful board game. It's called Escravo, Nem Pensar! ("Slavery, No Way!"). To win, players have to...
May 13th is a special day in Brazil. It’s the date Brazilians celebrate the Abolition Act, which outlawed slavery here in 1888. This year marked the 125th anniversary. Of course, slavery still exists in Brazil even though it has been illegal for more than a century....
The Brazilian state of São Paulo is taking a dramatic new step.The state’s governor has just signed a law to shut down companies caught using slave labor. Violators would be banned from opening a new business for 10 years.The man behind this groundbreaking law is...
The Brazilian state of São Paulo is taking a dramatic new step.The state’s governor has just signed a law to shut down companies caught using slave labor. Violators would be banned from opening a new business for 10 years.The man behind this groundbreaking law is...
When it comes to fighting slavery, creativity and innovation are essential. So Free the Slaves and our frontline partners use art to teach community members around the world about their rights. We’ve found that picture strips are remarkably successful. The images...
In a landmark vote that may set a global example for getting tough with traffickers, Brazilian lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment this week that allows authorities to confiscate land owned by slaveholders. FTS supporters helped make this happen, by joining...
You might not think you’re directly connected to rainforest destruction and slave labor. But you probably are, and a compelling report this week from Greenpeace connects the dots. It’s called “Driving Destruction in the Amazon.” It highlights how steel used to make...
Brazil’s Congress may soon take a huge step: sanction slaveholders through a constitutional amendment to confiscate land where people have been rescued by government anti-slavery squads. The confiscated land would help landless families, who are often the most...
It happened in the middle of the night, two men slipping away quietly from a ranch. They walked 14 miles through forests and fields to escape. And what makes this rescue especially inspiring is this: a younger slavery survivor risked his life to help an elderly...
Some interesting and inspiring stories came out in the news this week: Former "slaves" build Brazil World Cup stadium (Reuters) This is a beautiful story about a Brazilian anti-slavery program which places formerly enslaved laborers into legitimate jobs—while...
Yesterday, news broke that Spain dismantled an all male sex trafficking ring. The traffickers lured scores of Brazilian men to Europe with promises of work—but enslaved them instead. Most of the victims were kept on the vacation island of Majorca. The men were forced...