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Millions of women, children and men are forced into slavery around
the world. Poverty, vulnerability and lack of political will contribute
to its continuation.
From 27-31 May, the United Nations Working Group on Contemporary
Forms of Slavery meets in Geneva, Switzerland.
Anti-Slavery International, the world's oldest international human
rights organisation, is calling on governments to end slavery and
provides recommendations for action. It is reporting on:
Bonded labour
in Pakistan where many women, children and men are forced
to work for no wages. Poverty and starvation in Sindh Province force
communities to accept landlords' cash advances. Many work from dawn
until dusk and receive no wages. A recent court ruling undermines
existing protection.
Child
domestic work and its relationship to sexual exploitation:
Many of the millions of girls around the world who work as domestics
are denied freedom and education. They suffer physical and verbal
abuse, and for a large number, sexual abuse combined with working
in conditions of servitude makes them vulnerable to entry into sex
work.
Child trafficking
to the United Arab Emirates: It is estimated hundreds of
boys, aged between four and 10, are trafficked from South Asia to
the UAE and other Gulf States each year to be camel jockeys. Camel
racing is dangerous and can cause serious injury and even death.
In the UAE it is illegal to employ a child under 15.
Forced labour
and slavery in Sudan: Between 5,000 and 14,000 people have
been abducted in Sudan since 1983. The Government is failing to
take adequate steps to end raiding and slavery.
Forced labour
in Brazil: More than 1,000 people were rescued from forced
labour in 2001 by the Special Group for Mobile Inspection. However,
many more remain enslaved on Amazonian estates and landlords are
not being punished.
Forced
labour in Mauritania:
Slavery was abolished in 1981, but there has been little action
to secure the slaves' release or punish those who use slaves.
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