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| Brighter future: Children at a school founded by former child slave James Kofi Annan of Ghana. Courtesy of Romano/Free the Slaves |
Global slavery at a high, but reasons for hope
Modern-day abolitionists cite rising public attention to the problem, honor quiet heroes working to eradicate human bondage.
from the September 15, 2008 edition
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Reporter Jane Lampman discusses what's being done to combat the human slave trade in the US.
In 2001, a group of journalists and educators formed Reporter Brasil to research and expose the problem. When CPT uncovers cases of forced labor, Reporter Brasil traces the slave-made products to the businesses that distribute or use them. Then it takes the information to the businesses and encourages them to stop their purchases.
In 2003, one of the first acts of Brazil's current president was to initiate a national plan to end slavery.
"That was the first victory after years of pressure" by many groups, Plassat says. The plan led to new laws, strengthening of the mobile inspection squads, and publication of a "shame list" of offenders found to have slaves on their property. The list goes on the Internet for businesses and consumers to see. (Last week, the plan was updated to add more resources for prevention and rehabilitation, as well as economic sanctions against offenders.)
The list and the work of Reporter Brasil led to the formation of a corporate pact, under which more than 100 companies have pledged not to buy slave-made products.
"When Petrobras [the national energy company] decides to stop purchasing from an ethanol producer, as it did recently, that is very effective!" Plassat says.
From the charcoal business alone, some 28,000 slaves have been liberated.
"Brazil has a policy from the top and has put in the resources that, in proportional terms, no other country has done," says Bales.
Other award winners are Amihan Abueva of the Philippines, and Friends of Orphans, in Uganda. Ms. Abueva has worked for 20 years to end sexual exploitation of children, founding ECPAT International, which is active in 70 countries. Friends of Orphans helps reintegrate former child soldiers into society.
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