Sexual predators prey upon and abuse poor children of Cambodia

Cambodia, poor area

Cambodia is a poor country where young girls fall prey to predators[/caption]

“Predators cannot hide in foreign nations to conceal their deviant sexual desires,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. “Our efforts to coordinate with law enforcement around the world have resulted in the identification and prosecution of Americans who are exploiting the children in other countries. This lengthy sentence should serve as a stern warning to other pedophiles.”

Michael Joseph Pepe, 60, of Oxnard, California was convicted in 2008 by a jury of seven felony counts involved in traveling to Cambodia where he engaged in illicit sexual conduct with minors. He was sentenced by US District Judge Dale S. Fischer who offered this statement after the verdict was read, specifically about seven girls between the ages of 9 and 13 at the time of the abuse, who were drugged, bound, beat and raped by Pepe, “Monstrous does not begin to capture the horror of the crime or the impact on the victims."

The victims also said Pepe required the girls to give him sexual massages, then perform oral sex on him daily.

Experts report the prevalence rate of sexual abuse in Asia is 23.9%http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sexual_abuse It is also an area where commercial sexual exploitation is at its highest.

Sexual predators were out in force when a computer-generated Asian girl was created as a lure to capture criminals who prey on children. In Holland a sting operation was set up that caught hundreds of sexual predators who responded to the girl's picture put up on the Internet. 250 of the men who responded were American men, 110 from the United Kingdom and 103 from India. A total of about 20,000 men contacted the “young girl,” some of them offering money for sex.

Human traffickers operate widely throughout much of Asia, luring young women and girls into the sex trade, either with drugs or promises of good jobs in other countries. Sexual predators are also prevalent in Asia, where men travel in order to find willing sex partners. 

A Muslim Women's Network has written about the problem of the sexual exploitation of girls in Asia, pointing out the widespread nature of these crimes. A research study found that most perpetrators are from the same ethnic community as the victim. Most of the victims were under age 16 and many came from poor or dysfunctional families. Most of them also did not receive after care following their abuse, and many were re-abused by their families because the victims had reported the abuse. Police were criticized for not intervening enough because of cultural issues.

The Mirror exposed the problem of aging British men who travel to Asia and seduce children into having sex. Many of these men will groom innocent children by making promises of money or gifts. Cambodia is a poor country, and these men prowl the streets of the poorest neighborhoods looking for victims. Furthermore, it was reported how easy it is to find a child, as many are offered by adults on the streets, in whispered tones, to passersby, asking for money in exchange for providing a child for sex. A television documentary was done about the problem of pedophiles finding children in Cambodia for sex, as it pointed out how easy it has been for those convicted of crimes involving children to travel to Asia and find victims there. 

Victims of sexual abuse suffer trauma not just at the time the crime is committed but for years afterward. They can have physical trauma, as many are young and the sex can be rough for children. Psychologically they feel like lesser beings, worthless and unable to live ordinary lives. Families abandon them. Girls often can't be married and turn to prostitution when they can't receive family support. It is a victimization that is lifelong for many of these traumatized young people, according to those who have worked with them.

It is this crime the Department of Justice has highlighted in its recent arrest and documentation of sexual exploitation of children, the kind of crime for which there are too many poor victims.

Native Americans: A guidebook to peaceful understanding through healing stories

[caption id="attachment_21620" align="alignleft" width="262"] Chief Davis of Louisiana[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---One of the valuable lessons from Native Americans are the stories, which they believe helps maintain culture and promotes healing, something which other groups could use for binding people in good ways to traditions, beliefs, experiences and good relationships.

What are healing stories? These are stories that build new memories, memories of good things in the midst of painful memories. For example, the Native American has suffered for many, many decades first the loss of lands, life and health during the period of American expansion and later the poverty, drugs, and human trafficking that has continued to undermine the culture and the bonding the native cultures consider important.

They honor and respect traditions, the circle of life and peaceful harmony with nature and all living things. Through their oral stories these traditions are promoted.

On the national site for the Native Americans, these healing stories are emphasized. Many people don't even know they are there, but they are written to uplift, to promote a new and revitalized view of Native American culture, that reflects their wisdom, sharing, crafts, and ideas that help children look at themselves with the eyes of pride as opposed to having feelings of shame.

Whistleblower offers insights into human trafficking

[caption id="attachment_20015" align="alignleft" width="300"] Human trafficking around the world[/caption]

Michell Spoden----Sex trafficking occurs when people are forced or coerced into the commercial sex trade against their will or because of lack of financial freedom and opportunities. Kathryn Bolkovac is a true hero that had the courage to stand up for what she believed in by exposing corruption and sexual abuse she witnessed.   Helping raise awareness and create solutions for the human trafficking issue is no light endeavor.   It is the type of character in an individual for whom many likely have much respect.

1. What is your name, age, nationality and occupation?  (if you have more than one title please list it here) Kathryn Bolkovac-American-Consultant


2. Please tell our viewers why you chose to become a police officer?

My journey to becoming a police officer was a non-traditional one. I had already experienced a lot of life as an employee in various industries including the insurance industry and hotel management sector; I married at an early age  and was a divorced mother of three before becoming a police officer… being a police officer was not something I always dreamt about becoming. I had always been interested in justice and law topics so when the opportunity came along, I decided to give it a try. I think it is important for police officers to have diverse life experiences that allow them to better relate to the community and needs of people. Law enforcement agencies are and must obviously be prepared to take quasi-military actions in times of crisis; however the basic human service element is the core of policing.

            When do you think this epidemic started on an international level?

This phenomenon of Human Trafficking is nothing new; one just needs to read a bit of history or the bible for that matter with regard to slavery. Coining the term of Human Trafficking is what is new. Human Trafficking has been facilitated internationally and across borders based on very simple things. : Innocence- Ignorance –Apathy--Potential Market and--The desire to live a better life.  Then all you need is the greed of the corrupt individual, group, corporation, or tyrannical government to take advantage of the situation and impose power and control techniques.

     What would you tell the people out there that want to make a difference to do?

1)       Be the Eyes, Ears, Voices, & Advocates, in a non-judgmental and supportive way

2)         Research, Read, ask Questions and  Report to Law Enforcement or Hotlines any suspicions you may have with regard to the potential of criminal activity, child abuse, or what appears to be prostitution.

3)         Get Involved-Volunteer-Participate in Community Groups

4)         Contact your legislators and inquire about what is being done to stop the demand with regard to the accountability of “Johns”, the solicitation of prostitutes and the purchase of pornographic materials. What do you want as a community and or society?

5)         Contact your law enforcement officials, ask about what kind of funding allowances are budgeted or available to better train law enforcement with regard to the identification and investigation of human trafficking. Is it being addressed in or police academies in a meaningful way that enables law enforcement officer to collaborate with prosecutors and judges for successful prosecution. Are we open to reaching out to get advice from experts who have been working on these issues for decades?

7)         Contact prosecutorial officials ask them what training they are undertaking to better prosecute human trafficking cases, and the interpretation of anti-trafficking laws.

8)         Encourage you school administrators to seek outside professionals, and trainings in the identification of HT, and to implement student trainings, regarding use of social media, sexting, craigslist, etc.

9)         Know your neighbors; learn about the country and culture from which they may have originated.  Could they have been subjected to serious atrocities, might they be in fear of law enforcement, and what support to they have as a member of the community.

Do you think the media needs to do more to expose this sort of thing?

Responsible and accurate media reports are always a great asset.

What sort of policies should be in place to keep government authorities accountable?

This is a difficult question as globally we work in different regulatory systems around the world. The United Nations is incapable of enforcing treaties that have been agreed to or ratified, they have their own problems with regard to accountability and protecting whistleblower’s,  and rely on political agenda’s with regard to decision making. Many things are being implemented and reviewed at the international levels and in grass root organizations; these include more oversight, codes of conduct, penalties and standards for prosecution. Policies are only as good as the people or person who is responsible for enforcing and or interpreting the policy. Policies are guidelines, not law. Some form of Universal Jurisdiction for law enforcement and prosecution may be an option in the future however this has many constitutional hurdles and must not be entered into lightly from the perspective of U.S. law. We must be flexible and creative in this respect.

       This is typical of the sex offender and my question to you is; what can you tell victims today about how they should care for themselves in the midst of current survival or aftermath of sexual abuse through rape and sex trafficking?

With regard to aftercare form any trauma. Do not do it alone. Seek outside and professional help. Always talk to people you are not alone.

1. What is your motto and why?

I do not have a motto, life circumstances change to often to live by a single motto.

1. What are some of your future goals?

Too many too mention, but continuing my advocacy work and speaking about the ways to proactively combat the root cause of human trafficking is at the top of the list.

The factual account of what I experienced is documented in my book entitled:

The Whistleblower, Sex Trafficking, Military Contractors, and One Woman's Fight for Justice"

If you  have not read it it may give you more insight and direction as to where things are today and how you can help.

What is your skill set? 

The book is a separate project and goes deeper into what happened in Bosnia and details the spider web of mismanagement and corruption that allows this activity to continue today. It will take you through my trial against the private U.S. Government contractor DynCorp, in the UK and bring you up to date on where things are today. It may also give you some insight into how your own area of expertise may be used to support legislative efforts for law changes.

I try to encourage the average person to contact their local law enforcement agencies and inquire about what is being done in their own state or local community to educate officers on this subject.

Please check the websites of the Human Trafficking Pro-bono Legal Center,   POGO (Project on Government Oversight), GAP (Government Accountability Project) , Heartland Alliance, International Justice Mission, Human Rights Watch, The Polaris Project, or other non-profits to learn more. I hope you will continue to spread the word of the book and film. 

Web Site: http://www.bolkovac.com/

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This article was written by Michell Spoden, writer and advocate.  Michell Spoden is a regular contributor to this Journal and has done interviews with outstanding and unique people all over the world. She is the author of Stricken Yet Crowned and is also pursuing a transitional housing project for woman with an agricultural aspect. She has a degree in Business Science Administration and is finishing her bachelor’s in Project Management.

Human trafficking and the “white demand," examining the problems ofadoption

Judith Martin — Adding to the recent interview about human trafficking, the following information about human trafficking of infants and children comes from the late John Lee, who was a principal of Dibert Elementary School in New Orleans for many, many years. It is seconded by the Adoptees Birthrights Committee out of Metairie, Louisiana, as told in meetings some 30 years ago.

~ ~ ~

Predominately white, young American families who have difficulties in “making babies” of their own will resort to adoption. Of course, they want a “perfect white baby” such as come through social welfare agencies, like the Volunteers of America or the Edna Gladney Home(s). Historically, blacks do not adopt children.

The social changes over the last half-century have removed much of the shame of a white woman giving birth to an out-of-wedlock baby. These mothers, more and more, are keeping and raising their babies themselves, as blacks have done for generations since before and after the Emancipation Proclamation.

To adopt a perfect white child takes a long time. The pool of available white children is diminished because fewer out-of-wedlock babies are being placed for adoption. Then there are all the background investigations, followed by perhaps years of being on a waiting list. Parents “desperate” to adopt are not going to wait. So, these childless families will resort to taking “second best”, white children from the former Soviet Union, for example. “Third best” are children from the Orient or Central and South America. It is about the babies from the Americas that I am most concerned here.

Case History: The boy, "Blake", was born to a Mexican mother (father unknown), who more likely than not was a slave in the drug and prostitution businesses. Wanting a better life for her child, and because she was trapped in slavery, she surrendered the child to a "baby mill" that would bring such (well-documented) children into Texas. The home that took such children in had its own waiting list, and "orders" were filled rather quickly. The selling of babies is big business. (The selling of older children, as described in Carmela's story, is the sequel for many.)

"Blake" was adopted by a couple who were and still are computer "geniuses". At last, they had the image of the perfect American family, mommy, daddy, and a child.

As John Lee told me, when these Hispanic children begin to reach their early teens, they realize that they essentially are "poodles", there for show. They rebel and get involved in crimes of all sorts, including female and male prostitution, to take revenge on the whole charade they have been obliged to pretend did not exist. Children with these backgrounds often band together through schools, learn Spanish quickly, and gravitate to the rest of the Hispanic community—which is where their acceptance leads them into trouble.

"Blake", at the age of 13, was placed under house arrest until age 21 (he will be age 20 this year in spring). Whatever it was he did, his parents had to find a multi-story house with an attic in which to keep him. The house they found is in my neighborhood. There can be no doubt that "Blake" is being kept on medications. There can be no doubt, though, that through the cell phone, he is running his own criminal enterprise; on Facebook, he has boasted that he makes over $250,000 a year. He is allowed out of the house on occasion; some Hispanic boys of his age do visit him sometimes.

In closing, there can be no doubt that this deplorable practice of importing babies from Central and South America will continue as long as there is a demand in the white communities. It is even suggested that there are "baby mills" where breeder women are forced to make babies. At the very bottom of the whole business is the fact that there are Americans who will pay a lot for a healthy baby, white or not.

~ ~ ~

About the Author

 Judith Martin is a retired librarian, a graduate of Loyola University, New Orleans. She contributes as a historian to the "Friends of Science" fan club on Facebook. Martin is also a member of Levees.org, a group that is working to bring out the truth about the levee failures, post-Hurricane Katrina, in southeast Louisiana.

Human Trafficking – Interview with a victim-turned-activist

[caption id="attachment_13973" align="alignleft" width="151"] Carmela[/caption]

Ernest Dempsey — January 11 is observed as the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in US. The Christian Post notes that today, the number of slaves worldwide stands at an estimated 27 million, most of them women. On this special day of global humanitarian importance, the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs held a conversation with a woman who, as a child, was victim of human trafficking and now works as an activist against this social evil. Let’s hear more from “Carmela” on this topic.

~ ~ ~

Ernest: Carmela, I thank you for tending to my interview call!

Carmela: Ernest, thank you and my gratitude to the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs’ staff and contributors.

Ernest: My fist question is, what exactly is human trafficking?

Carmela: A rather insightful young man defines human trafficking as, “Human trafficking is the Holocaust waged against the generations.” The official explanation is given by the United Nations and defines human trafficking as, “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation". This from www.unescap.org/esid/GAD/Issues/Trafficking/index.asp.

Ernest: In general terms, what kind of a crime is it? And is it the same as smuggling people?

Carmela: Human trafficking is seen as a crime against humanity which cases may be tried under State, Federal, and Global laws. Smuggling people is when a “transporter” is paid by the intended to bring them across borders that a new life might be established for the betterment of the intended. Sometimes, smuggling may end up to be a situation of human trafficking, where the transporter decides to place the intended in bondage. That is the difference. In smuggling, the person, if not caught by authorities, is able to go free to build his or her new life. In case of human trafficking, the trafficker holds the person in bondage to the traffickers’ every whim.

Ernest: And what benefits the traffickers get from it?

Carmela: Trafficking people is a highly lucrative enterprise with “earnings ranging into billions per year”. Human trafficking is one of the top three most lucrative enterprises in the underworld market; the other two being drugs and arms deals.

Ernest: Do we have any statistics available, in the US and worldwide?

Carmela: As of yet, viable statistics do not exist. If any numbers are given, it is at best a guesstimation which varies in great degrees from one organization’s quote to another’s. Until a solid formula is conceived as how to ascertain the numbers of people being trafficked, any figure is at best a guesstimation. And given that human trafficking is an enterprise of the underworld market, it is possible that we may not be able to ascertain real numbers.

Ernest: So can we say that even today, human trafficking continues to be a notable threat to people in the US?

Carmela: Let me make clear that human trafficking is not a new phenomenon; slavery has always been with us. It did not end after the Civil War or Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. Until people’s perceptions change, allowing themselves to really see human trafficking for what it is, and for taking the practical steps to help crack down on the victimization of the men, women and children, human trafficking will continue to be a threat to the people in the United States and around the globe.

Ernest: Let’s hear a brief account of how you became a victim of this horror and what you went through.

Carmela: As a toddler, I was groped and molested by various relatives. When I was six years old, I was actually raped by an uncle. I did not tell anyone until I was a few days shy of ten years old. Upon telling my parents, my dad decided I was now a woman and had to “earn” my place in the house. I was already a domestic servant; my last chore every night before bed was to scrub the kitchen floor; now I was also rented out to men who wanted sex. My parents collected the money; for about four years, that was my surreal nightmare. I went to school during the day and endured a nightmare in the evenings and nights.

Ernest: How did you finally get out of all that mess?

Carmela: Neighbors and friends managed to help me out. Reading my Bible did also. By reading my Bible, I gained a moral compass I did not have from my parents, and I had the courage and strength to stand up for myself even if it meant punishments. Once I moved away, across country, then I was able to start a new life in earnest. My life does very much reflect me now and I am content. It is gratifying to help others out of situations that were so much like mine once was.

Ernest: Right. Now let’s talk about what groups of people are more vulnerable to human trafficking?

Carmela: Traffickers will use any healthy person they feel is marketable for the sex trade. If a person is healthy and strong, they may be used for slave labor. Sources of trafficked victims in the United States come from broken, dysfunctional, or divorced homes. If the teen for whatever reason does not feel loved or safe at home, they may take to the streets, forced to hustle or engage in survivor sex. Many of these teens are then taken on by a pimp where they are kept in bondage and circulated throughout the country, or even around the world.

From one female or male human trafficking victim, let us say, they start in the pre-teen years; by the time they are twenty, the trafficker has these options of use for them: used as a house laborer, a field hand, a nanny, a sex slave to be rented out or used by pedophile rings, strip joints, and in the escort industry, a child bride or groom, a mail order bride or groom, a baby breeder, a soldier, or a source for organs.

Ernest: We know families are generally protective of their children, and of all family members for that matter. But do we have many cases where one’s own family member(s) would give them into this human trafficking horror?

Carmela: In the United States, it is almost unheard of that parents would give their children over to human trafficking; but it does happen. Mine is not the only case I have come across over the decades but it is a rare occurrence to hear of such here in the United States. Normally, such cases are associated with families living within the borders of “developing countries” where traffickers use the ruse of promised education and or employment for the prospected target. The families, thinking they are doing a great service to the betterment of their child, give their blessing. When the child learns the truth, they may be too ashamed to return home or too far to do so. It can also be that the child is used to pay off an outstanding debt.

Ernest: Victims of this trauma are prone to get into crime, or taking the law into their hands; as we know happened in the case of Sarah Kruzan. So it implies that human trafficking turns some innocent people into criminals?

Carmela: In the case of Sarah Kruzan, we have a young girl at the age of eleven who was a scholar student abused and mistreated by her mother who used drugs. Her mother was befriended by a man Sarah calls “GG”. He at first acted like a father figure even walking her to school. At the age of thirteen, he started speaking with her about sex and putting the idea in her head that she should not have sex without getting something tangible in return. Later, that same year, he rented her out from six at night to six in the morning forcing her to drop out of school. By the time she was sixteen, she was one of his “wives”, and she already had three years of working the streets and being rented out. I am not certain of the circumstances but Sarah shot GG dead. The judge called the incident a pre-meditated murder and judged her as an adult with life in prison without parole. A campaign is being waged by many activists to help Sarah obtained her freedom with time served.

What the average person outside of the underworld needs to understand just as in any culture, the underworld has rules, mores, and customs that dictate the acceptable behavior. Your survival granted at the end of the day is a sign of acceptance and a reward for successfully maneuvering within or upholding those dictates within that society. I could easily have been Sarah Kruzan. I have done much that I am not proud of in the name of survival, but it was forced upon me. When I moved hundreds of miles away to start a new life, for the first time, I had a good life. It was a life that reflected me. It still does.

Ernest: How do you rate the law enforcement, particularly in the US, for their performance in checking human trafficking?

Carmela: I myself and Once Upon an Edenwork with individuals, communities, and organizations, so I am not qualified to answer questions about law enforcement.

Ernest: Do we have many organizations working for ending or minimizing this problem of human trafficking?

Carmela: Yes, there are organizations all over the world addressing the issues of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. These three scourges on humanity often go hand in hand. We do need more support for organizations such as Covert Intelligence Services that gathers intelligence for US Federal Agencies with the purpose of capturing pedophiles, pedophile rings, and human traffickers. Project Meridian does the same and they also help states write laws that are up to date with human trafficker tactics.

It is also imperative that organizations address boys’ and men’s needs. I come across many teenage men, college-aged men who are courageous to admit they were sexually misused or abused at tender ages. What is just as troubling is this same age range being raped at parties and then having to pay child support to their rapist because she bore a child as a result. Not all rapists are lecherous male pedophiles; some are kittens and some are also cougars. Many divorces can be attributed to men hooked on porn to feed an addiction that is rooted in their past abuse.

Ernest: This month, January, is National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month and January 11, was National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Do you think a large number of Americans are aware of this threat?

Carmela: I would have to say due to great measures taken by activists and educators over the past several decades, and mainly this decade, there is a greater awareness in the United States and abroad than ever before. However, I do not think the average American is able to understand the connection the implications of human trafficking has upon their very own lives. One of the education tactics that is presented in seminars presented by Once Upon An Eden is enabling the communities to identity clearly the signs of human trafficking as well as to make the connection as to how human trafficking influences their own households and how their actions or purchases influence human trafficking.

Ernest: I would ask you to suggest measures of basic importance that governments need to adopt to curb human trafficking in their respective jurisdiction?

Carmela: I am an advocate of arresting the ‘clients’ or ‘Johns; along with the traffickers if the ‘client’ or ‘John’ or ‘Jane’ is a repeat offender regardless of their political connections. Unfortunately, many of the people who rent people in order to have sexcapades are some of the very same people who write the laws or govern the nations—who have taken oaths to uphold the protective laws against human trafficking. This is common knowledge among abolitionists, advocates, and other humanitarians and is a major hurdle to the advocacy concerning not only human trafficking but many other areas of humanitarian work. There are laws being passed against humanitarians that affect common citizens as well. Every advocate does their best to let the public know about these issues.

Ernest: And where can a common American citizen, including minors, get helpful information about the threat of human trafficking and related preventive measures?

Carmela: If one types in “human trafficking” into any search engine, many sites for organizations, videos, and listings for training seminars come up. However, there are a few that I network with and in some ways rely on that I would like to pass on to those who may read this interview. These include:
 Protection for Men, founder and director R.K. Hendrick: http://www.protectionformen.com/blog
 Trinity Alliance Films and Majestic Dreams Foundation, both founded and directed by Aimee Galicia Torres: http://www.themajestic.org
 Covert Intelligence Services, founded and directed by Jake Collins: http://www.Twitter.com/JakeCollins
 Project Meridian: http://www.pmfi.org
 XoMoXnyc: http://www.XoMoXnyc.com
 Once Upon an Eden: http://www.onceuponaneden.org.

Ernest: Well, this concludes our session. Thanks a lot Carmela for all your efforts against the darkness of human trafficking!

Carmela: Thank you Ernest, and to the publication of the Journal of Humanitarian Affairs for helping to get the word out and for helping to spread the education.

Alleged human trafficker indicted for enslaving young women to work asnannies

WASHINGTON - GHN News Staff -  "For those of you think it cannot happen to you, I want to let you know that the dragnet of the traffickers is so wide that only God knows who is safe."



In 2003 the wife of Nigeria's Vice President was quoted as making that statement about her country, where human trafficking is a serious problem, even as it is cited as widespread also in the United States, an issue underlined by a recent arrest made by the Department of Justice.   

One of the Department's recent indictments involves Bidemi Bello, 41,   She is accused of bringing women from Nigeria to work as nannies in a forced labor status, using physical abuse and threats to control her alleged victims.

Bello, originally from Georgia and presently from Nigeria, was arraigned by the Department of Justice  following an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Sep.10, 2010. Bello faces federal charges of forced labor, trafficking with respect to forced labor, document servitude and alien harboring.            

 According to the charges against her, Bello brought a young woman from Nigeria to Georgia, compelling her to work as a nanny and housekeeper for a period of three years, from October 2001 through March 2004.  The woman escaped and Bello replaced her with another victim that she kept in involuntary servitude during the period November 2004 until April 2006.   Bello isolated her victims from their families and took their identification documents so they would have to work without pay.

"Trafficking in persons, or human trafficking, is a tragically widespread form of modern-day slavery. Pursuing and prosecuting traffickers and rescuing victims of trafficking are high priorities of the Department of Justice."

This warning underlines the Department of Justice interests in stopping the practice of human trafficking.   

Each of the four labor trafficking charges against Bello carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.   The two document servitude counts carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.   The alien harboring count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.   Assistant U.S. Attorney S usan Coppedge and Deputy Chief Karima Maloney of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

"Human trafficking is a violation of the human body, mind and spirit. For this vile practice to be taking place in a country that the world looks to as a beacon of freedom... is a terrible irony and an utter tragedy,"is the statement atop the Department of Justice homepage.  It underlines the tragedy of human trafficking that takes place across the world, even in free societies." 

Six individuals indicted for human trafficking of 400 Thai farm workers

WASHINGTON - Carol Forsloff - When Americans think of human trafficking of farm workers, they most
often think of Mexicans.  In this case, however, a federal grand jury
has indicted folks for exploiting Thai farm workers.

 

Six people were charged in the scheme, announced the Justice Department
today, that include Mordechai Orian, from Israel; Pranee Tubchumpol,
Shane Germann and Sam Wongsensanit of Global Horizons Manpower Inc., in
Los Angeles; and Thai labor recruiters Ratawan Chunharutai and Podjanee
for involvement in a conspiracy to commit forced labor and document
servitude.

According to the indictment, these individuals were involved in a scheme
to force labor of nearly 400 Thai nationals.  They were brought from
Thailand during the period May 2004 through September 2005.  Their
assignment was to work on farms around the country as part of the U.S.
federal agricultural guest worker program.

These individuals fax from 10 to 70 years in prison if found guilty.
They convinced these Thai laborers that they would have lucrative jobs,
then kept them working on farms in Washington and Hawaii through
threatening them with economic harm.

The Thai laborers also had to pay high fees for recruitment by borrowing
from their personal assets such as their family property and homes.

In
addition to the charges of human trafficking, the six defendants are
also accused of confining a group of Thai laborers to work at Maui
Pineapple Farm, then asked for an additional fee of $3,750 to help them
keep their jobs.  Those who didn't pay were forced back to Thailand.The FBI in Honolulu investigated the case against the defendants.

Child labor continues to be a worldwide problem

Editor- "Children should not work, instead should have books in their hands. I know this because I had to start working at a very young age at the stone quarries. I want every child to go to school and get a free and quality education."

That's the opinion of Amarlal, reported by a non profit group that focuses on the issues of humanitarian concerns.

International Centre on Child Labor and Education tells us how millions of children continue to be involved in forced labor. despite the adoption of the ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor.

We are reminded there is still work to do regarding the welfare of children in the world.  The organization reports 215 million children against whom the crime of child labour is being committed. 115 mullion children, amounting to 1 out of 7 children in worst forms of child labour, that 11 years ago we pledged to our children.

The organization says the primary goal should be to make sure that children have a right to a free education and to also be free of exploitation.

What can ordinary people do?  Be apprised of the news on the problem.  Support agencies and organizations involved in the education of children.  Put pressure on government leaders to ensure laws to promote the safety and welfare of children are put in place, the organization says.

The most telling remark from the group is this, “It is time for us to declare war against child labour. It is time for the international community to state quite clearly that enough is enough and a strong political commitment must emerge to combat child labour once and for all. As with other wars, we need to establish effective strategic partnerships, including with those countries where child labour is prevalent. The time is right to do this and if we fail now, the consequences are too devastating to contemplate.”