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Global Slavery/Trafficking Reports 2013

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  • #61
    In the news today...

    Mystery girl’s parents sought
    October 19, 2013



    ATHENS, Greece – Greek police request international help to reunite a 4-year-old – who was found during a raid on a Gypsy community – with her family. The Greek police raided the camp in search of drugs and weapons, part of a crackdown on illegal activity in the Gypsy community. But during the operation, an accompanying prosecutor noticed something else that stood out: a blond, blue-eyed little girl. Around 4 years old and going by the name Maria, the girl looked nothing like the couple she lived with, officials said Friday. DNA tests proved she wasn't their child, and further investigation raised even more suspicions: authorities allege the mother claimed to have given birth to six children in a total of less than 10 months, while 10 of the 14 children the couple registered as their own are unaccounted for.

    The child was found Wednesday near Farsala in central Greece. Police say they also found drugs and unregistered firearms in other parts of the Gypsy – or Roma – settlement, which is about 280 kilometers (170 miles) north of Athens. Greek officials now try to figure out the girl’s true identity and whether the couple were linked to child-trafficking rings. “Her features suggest that she might be from an eastern or northern (European) country,” regional police chief Panayiotis Tziovaras said of the girl.
    Source

    Probably child trafficking and welfare scamming. The child is certainly not a Roma. I would *guess* that she is from either a Nordic or a Baltic (Latvia/Estonia) country. Eastern Europe (Poland/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia) is also a possibility.
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    • #62
      Originally posted by Minskaya View Post
      In the news today...


      Source

      Probably child trafficking and welfare scamming. The child is certainly not a Roma. I would *guess* that she is from either a Nordic or a Baltic (Latvia/Estonia) country. Eastern Europe (Poland/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia) is also a possibility.
      As far as i understand kidnapping has been claimed to be a common practice among gypsies in Europe and Russia for centuries (i have no idea how true that is, however). I guess that explains how European blood has entered into some gypsie communities.

      Poor girl, lucky tho she has been freed now.

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      • #63
        Originally posted by farhan_9909 View Post
        Sadly they are.The Afghan refugees living in peshawar/quetta/Islamabad are rich and now majority of them are having Citizenship.But those in Bannu/Dera ismail khan(Even though no official figures but from my personal observation atleast 2 out of 10 in Bannu are afghan refugees while atleast 1 out of 10 in DIK are afghan refugees) And are extremely poor.You cant even imagine the poverty they live in...

        Be it Summer(in DIK summer usually above 40degree C) or in winter in Bannu(extremely cold) they live in tents,electricity is something like alien to them,And live usually on donated food by the other local pashtuns,.Since majority of them are illiterate,and had to do labour work.Atleast the teenager are the victims of human trafficking.

        Not sure about punjab/Sindh as i had only been to lahore(punjab) once in my life and never been to sindh ever
        Why were you banned? :confu:

        You are right about the Afghan refugees I guess. Regarding Sindh and Punjab, my understanding is that there hasn't been land reform, so feudal landowners continue to own large tracts of agricultural land. The peasants serve these landowners for paltry wages and/or to pay off debts, i.e. bonded labour.

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        • #64
          Originally posted by cataphract View Post
          Why were you banned? :confu:
          .
          Because of this
          Originally posted by farhan_9909 View Post
          ?........
          Failed state index even included iran and iraq.Both of them havint 5-10 times more per capita than India and a standard of living a common india cannot even imagine in 3013.
          And most important atleast we are humans unlike indians
          In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

          Leibniz

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          • #65
            India has more slaves than any other country: 14.7 million

            How many slaves work for you? Paradoxically, in 2013, the question is still relevant, and the answer, surprising. Depending on where you live, what you buy and what your lifestyle is, you have almost certainly been touched by slavery. Modern-day slavery takes many forms: human trafficking, forced and bonded labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and forced marriage.

            What these crimes have in common is the evil intention to strip human beings of their freedom, then control and exploit them. Slavery is a global issue. In some parts of the world, people are still born into hereditary slavery, in others, people are trafficked from one state to another, stripped of their passports and enslaved. Slaves walk among us. You might tip one at a hotel or speak to them at your nail salon. They look like regular workers but they are not.

            Obscene, Profit

            There are currently 29.6 million slaves around the world, more than ever before, about equal to the populations of Australia and Denmark combined. Slavery is a fast-growing industry worth $32 billion a year, equal to the profit of McDonald's and Wal-Mart combined. It's a story of debt, fraud and coercion.

            An estimated 14,500-17,500 people are trafficked into the US every year. Some enter legally, with a visa and a job. But that job is subcontracted, hiding the harsh reality of abuse and exploitation behind a clean uniform. Those trafficked are forced to repay recruitment fees, travel costs and accommodation bills. They work long hours, seven days a week, without pay, in the impossible attempt to repay a debt that will never be settled. Modern-day slaves are found in unexpected places. Washington, DC, was rocked a few years ago by allegations of human trafficking by diplomats working at embassies and international institutions.

            Women Most Affected

            There are currently 8,80,000 people engaged in forced labour across the EU. Of them, 58% are women, the majority victims of sexual exploitation — the most lucrative form of slavery. There are believed to be 4,600 slaves in the UK, mostly trafficked from Africa and most of them entering the UK illegally. Slavery is justified by reference to custom, ethnicity and even religion.

            In Mauritania, 20% of the population is born into slavery and owned, largely, by the White Moors, one of the country's three ethnic groups. Only victims can file a complaint, yet the slaves are illiterate and do not know their rights. India, with a population of over 1.2 billion, has more slaves than any other country: 14.7 million. With extreme poverty culturally tolerated, caste and debt bondage are endemic. Sexual exploitation of women and children is widespread. Law enforcement is sporadic and weak. Slavery is a silent crime.

            Its victims don't complain in most instances. In the EU, the number of convictions for human trafficking has dropped by 13% in the last few years; the latest US data shows that only 7,705 prosecutions took place in 2012, though the number of identified victims reached 46,570. Some victims don't see themselves as such, especially victims of sexual exploitation, who tend to develop a psychological dependence on their abuser. Victims of domestic slavery are often foreigners who cannot leave the house or do not speak the local language. Others are simply afraid to seek help.

            You can Help

            Each of us has a role to play in the battle against human trafficking. Individuals who encounter slaves have a moral responsibility to come forward. Businesses must demand real transparency from subcontractors. The State of California recently adopted the innovative approach of fining the hiring firms for violations of national employment laws committed by their subcontractors.

            Governments must treat slavery as a crime, not an immigration issue. In the US, a victory has been won as victims of human trafficking now have the right to stay in the country while suing the perpetrators, using US law. Lawyers must work to ensure that all victims of human trafficking have access to free legal representation and restitution for unpaid work. Governments must also end the culture of impunity for the traffickers and the offenders and fight slavery on an international basis. We cannot afford to lose the fight against human trafficking. Slavery should belong to the history books.

            The writer is CEO, Thomson Reuters Foundation
            Does the GoI know about this? And if they do, is it a deliberate play not to act against it, lest money flowing into their coffers diminishes significantly? Is it the same as some kind of a rationale not to improve or provide free quality education so that if every citizen becomes an engineer or a doctor, who'd clean the sewers?
            Politicians are elected to serve...far too many don't see it that way - Albany Rifles! || Loyalty to country always. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it - Mark Twain! || I am a far left millennial!

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            • #66
              Originally posted by Oracle View Post
              Does the GoI know about this?
              Certainly. The US State Department has an office dedicated to combating human trafficking and every country is reviewed once a year for Tier placement. The US DoS works with the foreign government and in-country NGOs to ascertain all aspects of human trafficking within the country. Each country is then placed in the appropriate Tier and informed of what improvements are necessary to better their placement. All of this information is published annually and available to the global audience. Tier 3 placement can trigger US economic/trade sanctions.

              US Department of State - Trafficking in Persons Report
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              • #67
                Originally posted by Minskaya View Post
                Certainly. The US State Department has an office dedicated to combating human trafficking and every country is reviewed once a year for Tier placement. The US DoS works with the foreign government and in-country NGOs to ascertain all aspects of human trafficking within the country. Each country is then placed in the appropriate Tier and informed of what improvements are necessary to better their placement. All of this information is published annually and available to the global audience. Tier 3 placement can trigger US economic/trade sanctions.

                US Department of State - Trafficking in Persons Report
                Well, sort of.

                In any administration, to be fair about it, it is probably not unusual to find exceptions to the rule. Consider this notice: Obama waives sanctions on countries that use child soldiers | The Cable, last year, where exemptions were granted to some countries on the subject of child soldiers.

                But, as I said, in all fairness, I'm sure this or that administration has made exceptions to the rules when it's in national interest.....how ever that interest may be defined. Further, the actions done last year may technically not be in conflict with the actions that the State Department has done year after year.

                As things go, one must remember that various people approach the issue from various angles and with various methods.

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                • #68
                  Originally posted by Tamara View Post
                  Well, sort of.

                  In any administration, to be fair about it, it is probably not unusual to find exceptions to the rule. Consider this notice: Obama waives sanctions on countries that use child soldiers | The Cable, last year, where exemptions were granted to some countries on the subject of child soldiers.

                  But, as I said, in all fairness, I'm sure this or that administration has made exceptions to the rules when it's in national interest.....how ever that interest may be defined. Further, the actions done last year may technically not be in conflict with the actions that the State Department has done year after year.

                  As things go, one must remember that various people approach the issue from various angles and with various methods.
                  This is precisely why I qualified that aspect...

                  Originally posted by Minskaya View Post
                  Tier 3 placement can trigger US economic/trade sanctions.
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                  • #69
                    Originally posted by Oracle View Post
                    India has more slaves than any other country: 14.7 million



                    Does the GoI know about this? And if they do, is it a deliberate play not to act against it, lest money flowing into their coffers diminishes significantly? Is it the same as some kind of a rationale not to improve or provide free quality education so that if every citizen becomes an engineer or a doctor, who'd clean the sewers?
                    The GoI most definitely knows. Let me ask you this - even if the GoI was heavily committed to eliminating slavery (a massive 'if'), how confident would you be that they could do so in any decent amount of time or with any great effectiveness? Indians on WAB frequently point out how bad the GoI is at getting things done. That is no excuse, but don't expect any quick or easy fix. A concerted public campaign could well improve the situation, but it is pretty much impossible to eliminate.
                    sigpic

                    Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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                    • #70
                      BF is spot-on. Even with a dedicated and comprehensive initiative, such a sea-change would require generations. However, nothing will change unless the problems are admitted, discussed, and requisite remedial measures implemented.
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                      • #71
                        The problem, imv is that the public is passive. You can do wonders if the public realizes the issue and demands change. Till then...
                        No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                        To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

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                        • #72
                          Originally posted by Minskaya View Post
                          BF is spot-on. Even with a dedicated and comprehensive initiative, such a sea-change would require generations. However, nothing will change unless the problems are admitted, discussed, and requisite remedial measures implemented.
                          Yep. Governments can pass & attempt to enforce laws, but then, as Doc points out, it is up to the population as a whole. That doesn't just mean reporting suspected crimes, it also means making slavery socially unacceptable. often the judgement of peers and especially family is more effective than the law because one is ever present, the other may be distant and erratic. Shame is an underrated weapon. Obviously some people have no shame, but never underrate the potential power of social stigma to impact behaviour.
                          sigpic

                          Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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                          • #73
                            Shame is a good weapon if you can educate the people that it is not OK to beat wives, or to lock kids in the basement, or even slap them.

                            For instance over here, first two are not accepted in most cases, but if someone slaps their own kid on the street, the reaction will be zero.

                            Unless someone educates the public about the issues and what is slavery...
                            No such thing as a good tax - Churchill

                            To make mistakes is human. To blame someone else for your mistake, is strategic.

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                            • #74
                              Originally posted by Doktor View Post
                              Shame is a good weapon if you can educate the people that it is not OK to beat wives, or to lock kids in the basement, or even slap them.

                              For instance over here, first two are not accepted in most cases, but if someone slaps their own kid on the street, the reaction will be zero.

                              Unless someone educates the public about the issues and what is slavery...
                              I'm sure many (if not most) Indians would be horrified at the thought that their fellow Indians are enslaved. Those attitudes need to be broadened & strengthened. You make a goods point about education. People may be horrified by the concept but have an image of slavery that is out of step with some of the ways it is practiced. Others may be horrified in theory, but need the issue humanized to prompt action. That has certainly been the experience here with the sort of issues you mention.
                              sigpic

                              Win nervously lose tragically - Reds C C

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                              • #75
                                To be frank, to actually coin a term for it as "slavery" is over-the-top.

                                Back in the 80s, before the advent of cheap and affordable mobile phones and five dozen 24hours news channels, things were obscure, hidden or mysterious. Culturally, indians don't interfere in anyone else business. If they don't like what they see, they distance or disassociate themselves from it. eg: homosexuality is condemned with social boycott but at the same time, "tolerated". Basically, this mentality creates the core base of the caste hierarchy which says that some "social behaviours" are intrinsically indigenous to some castes and cannot be separated. In other cultures around the world, the people and its community are intrusive. If something sticks out as "unordinary", it is made homogeneous. This is contrast to indian culture, which could rather socially boycott the unordinary than to "tame it" and later incorporate it.

                                The rural side is still ungoverned and will remain ungoverned because of a toleration culture that refuses to interfere in the "lifestyles" of the "other" people.
                                Last edited by anil; 22 Oct 13,, 12:49.

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