Children

Brothers and Sisters All Love Our World

“Many holding hands represent people from different races, countries, and cultures bringing their love and care to each other. There is no boundary between them. They sing a song for peace and friendship as they share their knowledge and happiness. A world full of joy and harmony is our wish. “

Cheung Man Kit was the winner of the 2007 International Day Celebration Art Competition, he is from Hong Kong. The 15 year old lives in Hong Kong, China, and has been painting since he was only 6 years old.

The oldest conflict in Africa has taken more than 30,000 children as child soldiers, many others used as sex slaves, almost all have been abducted from their families.  All 30,000 plus children, some as young as eight, have suffered in the violent hands of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), in northern Uganda. According to the UN approximately 90% of the LRA is composed of children, making the this slave army nothing more than one the world’s largest violations on children’s rights. As the conflict has now dragged on for decades, many children seem to have found no escape from the fighting, many who have been freed, only find themselves caught back in the violence as they are re-abducted, or worse killed for trying to escape. Others have found that with little to no skills, alienation by their former villages, and few places to turn for any form of rehabilitation or education, that the national Ugandan Army is the only place to turn, and thus the prospect of a normal life is little more than a distant dream.

Peace talks where renewed in Juba, Sudan, between the Ugandan government and the LRA, a new two-month truce agreed on May 19, is to last until the end of July. On July 4th the Ugandan government also made efforts to set up a special tribunal to deal with war crimes allegedly committed by northern rebels during a 20-year conflict, but that it would not handle charges of abuse by the Ugandan army. LRA guerrillas immediately rejected the move as a breach of a deal signed on Saturday that aims to end a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted nearly 2 million more (Reuters). Many in the human rights field are heavily concerned that the trials will not allocate significant punishment for the crimes committed, and thus could be disastrous if the punishment does not fit the crime. A figurative slap on the hand will only bring more injustice to those who have been victims, especially children who have been and are still held as child soldiers.

” The latest Juba agreement recognizes that trials are needed for the most serious crimes committed in northern Uganda, and this is welcome, but the agreement leaves open the question of penalties if there are convictions. Penalties should reflect the gravity of the crimes, with imprisonment as the principal penalty. “, said Richard Dicker, Director, International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch.

“The ICC’s arrest warrants for four LRA leaders on war crimes and crimes against humanity are a chance to ensure justice for some of the most serious crimes committed in northern Uganda and to show would-be perpetrators that no one is above the law, thereby helping to promote a peace that is durable. …the ICC would remain the appropriate forum to try the LRA leaders…” (Adequate Penalties Needed Along With Trials). The LRA has stated that they will not sign a detailed peace agreement with the Ugandan government, unless the warrants are withdrawn. The ICC currently looks to be standing strong in it’s decision, and has no plans to back down anytime in the future. According to the ICC lead prosecutor, “To withdraw the warrants there has to be a legal challenge by Uganda or the LRA,” he stressed. He said many witnesses had been interviewed. “I will not tell you how many but they are enough. They gave statements and we have all the evidence to prove the case” (Kony Must Face Trial) .

The Ugandan government first looked towards the ICC for assistance in investigating the LRA in 2003, then Ugandan President Museveni was the first head of state to place a domestic war crimes case before the ICC, in January 2004. Although a great achievement in many senses, the continuing violence in the country, makes the prospect of peace and justice seem a long way off. In October 2005, the ICC issued indictments for five leading LRA officials, including Joseph Kony, the LRA leader who is the primary force behind the violent abductions and enslavement of child soldiers. While a landmark moment for the ICC, the continuing LRA violence complicates the case, and any legal resolutions in Uganda. Nevertheless in October 2005, the ICC issued indictments for five top LRA officials. For now, as the fighting continues, so does the debate over International or local traditional justice, for many Ugandans. Some believe that Kony and his leaders should be allowed to be dismissed into exile, for the sake of quicker peace. Exiling leaders who have committed grave crimes against humanity is not a foreign concept for many African nations, so for many it is a viable means to a resolution of a longstanding internal conflict, most have longed for longer than they can remember.

Photo: Human Security in Northern Uganda

The daily life in the LRA for children, is unimaginable, as they are forced to endure mental, sexual and physical abuses. Often children are forced to kill members of their own families, friends, neighbors, and this is only a small part of the killing and violence they are forced to partake in. Many children are taken not only as soldiers, but to be domestic and sexual slaves, some young girls have bore new soldiers for the LRA’s continuing rampage.

Grace Grall Akallo, a former LRA child soldier, now a Spokesperson for World Vision, said of her experience,

“I, and the other girls captured with me, were trained to assemble and disassemble, clean and use guns. We were used as slave labor by the LRA and Sudanese government soldiers. We were forcibly given to senior LRA commanders as so-called ‘wives.’”

Justin Okot, has faced seven years of forced captivity as a child soldier with the LRA, now held by the SPLA in Sudan, his fate is still unknown. Now only 20 years old, he longs for nothing more than to see his family again and continue his education. At 13 Justin, was kidnapped by LRA rebels, seized from his bed in the middle of the night, Justin was lucky to be the only one of his brothers taken. For Justin and all of the other child soldiers, leaving was not an option…

“If you try to escape, they definitely kill you - so many people have been killed trying to escape. If you get too tired to walk, or too sick to work, they kill you.” (“I was forced to be an LRA rebel for seven years”)

One can only hope that there is an end in sight for the child soldiers of Uganda, and that they will have justice served in their name, to all who have victimized them, and stolen their innocence.

 

Please see my previous piece on Child Soldiers in Africa

Links:
USA Support Needed for International Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Choike - Child Soldiers - In depth Information and Great Links
Human Rights Watch - Child Soldiers
Child Soldiers 1379 Report
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
World Revolution
The Middle East North Africa (MENA) Regional Network to Stop the Use of Children as Soldiers
Stolen Childhood
Children with Guns
War Child
Optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict
The Child Soldiers Project
Anna Kari - Has some amazing photos of Ugandan child soldiers
Invisible Children - Documentary about Child Soldiers and Night Commuters in Northern Uganda
NPR - Child Soldiers Fight Forgotten War in Uganda
Uganda Watch Blogspot
Arrest Warrant for Joseph Kony

Nigerian Militants (Photo from AFP file)

Only days after the release of a 3-year-old British girl kidnapped in Nigeria, another child was kidnapped. The Nigerian kidnappers demand $78,600 for 3-year-old , the child a boy was taken on Thursday, July 12. Thankfully the boy was released the following day, unharmed, thanks to the payment of a ransom.Kidnappings are not uncommon in this region of Africa, however using children as objects of ransom is. Will abducting young children for large sums be the newest wave of crime in a country being torn apart by militant criminal gangs? According to Reuters sources, approximately 150 adult abductions have taken place in the Niger Delta region this year alone, almost more than in 2006. Most all of the kidnap victims where unharmed and released upon receiving ransom money. The main targets for kidnappings have been the Oil Companies, who’s expatriate staff have been the primary victims. Now with 4 children as kidnap victims, many now fear that the kidnapping of children, will be come the new target for militants seeking to extort money from large oil companies, contractors, and Nigerian officials.

“Kidnapping is a violation of the victim’s fundamental human rights and can never be justified under any known law,” said Onueze Okncha, former head of the Nigerian Bar Association. “It’s going to cause problems for Nigeria people in ways we could never imagine.” (Associated Press)

The constant kidnappings, and attacks, on oil refineries, are heavily contributing to the countries reduced oil production, which some say is only a quarter of what production was two years ago. Many smaller companies are now contemplating shutting down, and many employees are looking to move their families out of the country, as fears continue to escalate. Over the last year to year and a half, analysts say that the ‘character’ of kidnappings has shifted. Previously attacks and kidnappings where fulled by “community-related disputes, typically carried out by lightly armed local people aggrieved over a lack of jobs or environmental degradation, have become far more serious” (Companies Count the Cost of Kidnapping in Nigeria). Once groups may have used kidnapping victims to demand cleaner water systems, or more jobs for local workers, but now heavily armed militia gangs, who seem to have little interest in any demands for political or social change, and appear to be purely driven my money and greed.

The kidnappings and violent attacks are contributing to the rising cost of oil, however they are also causing an even greater increase as oil companies, such as petrol giant Shell, are taking on the cost of ransoms, increased wages, damages and increased security. Many claim that the government is doing little about the problem, as they are benefiting from the risky, yet profitable game. “Practically everyone involved in hostage negotiations has had his hands soiled,” the militant said by e-mail. “Officials merely up the demands of the abductors and keep the rest to themselves, most times unknown to the abductors.” (Ransoms fuel kidnapping surge in oil-rich Nigeria – gov’t officials taking cut, gangs say)

What is really causing all of the kidnapping and attacks on oil companies, their staff, and now children? The bottom line is poverty and a continuously breading corruption. As with most situations of lawlessness, poverty is at the very heart of it. Unless we look to fix the root of the problem, it will continue to feed and grow off the desperation of the Nigerian people. The Nigerian government needs to look long and hard at the situation, before it fully erupts and turns the country into a gangland of oil fueled war lords, where no one can safely walk the streets, especially a foreigner, or a businessman.

Unfortunately the troubles related to the kidnappings and attacks on the oil industry, don’t look to be going anywhere just yet, however let us only hope that children are not to be a continued pawn in this greedy game of war.

In the Republic of Congo the ministry of health has been successful in vaccinating 400,000 children under the age of five against polio. The campaign, is to help in preventing the spread of polio from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),and vaccinations took place in the administrative departments of Brazzaville, Pool in the south, Plateaux and Cuvette in the central region and Likouala in the north. (IRIN)

A partnership between UNICEF, the EU and the Government of Djibouti is working towards providing around 25,000 poor and most vulnerable residents of the country to access clean drinking water in near proximity of their homes for the first time. “The water supply program will help to improve the living conditions of many children and women and to the achievement of priority indicators in line with the Millennium Development Goal related to water and sanitation”, said Aloys Kamuragiye, UNICEF Representative in Djibouti. (UN News)

The Ethiopian government has been accused of forcing thousands of civilians from their homes in a campaign against separatist rebels in the south-east. US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) says troops had burned homes, seized livestock and carried out arbitrary arrests. HRW also accused the rebels of targeting officials and clan leaders who failed to support its insurgency. (BBC) Forced starvation is often used in the country, often including the burning of crops and food stocks.

In the last month UNICEF and the Franch government have donated almost $400,000 worth of anti-malaria drugs to Liberia, a country who’s children are heavily stricken with the disease. “This is truly a remarkable gesture for the people of Liberia, especially the children and pregnant women who suffer the most,” said Minister of Health Dr. Walter Gwenigale. He underscored the seriousness of malaria in Liberia. “We are dealing with a situation where when 50 patients enter a clinic, 25 of them are malaria-infected.” (UN News) Malaria kills over a million people each year in Africa, most of which are children.

In Sierra Leone new laws where put into place on June 14th to make wife-beating a criminal offense, the laws will also allow women to inherit property, and protect girls against forced marriage. A local human rights group said, the laws will “help to radically improve the legal position of women in Sierra Leone.” The Task force on Gender Bills said, “Until now the issue of redress for injustices committed against women especially in the domestic realm has been an uphill task because of the inadequacies of the law.” (IRIN)

You are only one person, as am I, but one person can do a great deal for humanity. Big or small we all have a voice, and we must use are voice whenever we can, and trust that we will be heard. Look back at history to see those who have not only changed and shapped our lives, but history and our future. Rosa Parks, was only one woman, with a small voice, but she made it heard and it is still heard today. Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Gandhi and so many others started as a movement of one, with a small voice, but they never let go of hope and they became the voices of the world.

You and you alone, make a difference to children around the world!

The war in Bosnia began in March 1992 and did not end until November 1995, the worst tragedy of the Bosnian war was the three day massacre in the city of Srebrinca, in eastern Bosnia, from July 11 -14, 1995. In April 1993, the United Nations declared Srebrenica a UN safe area, and it was guarded by a small unit operating under the mandate of United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), the soldiers were Dutch and at the time of the massacre only numbered around 30, however the town was captured by the Army of Republika Srpska. The Srebrinca Genocide still haunts many, as the bodies of the estimated 8,000 men and boys that where killed, are still continuing to be identified. The Srebrinca genocide was also the largest single genocide in Europe, or ethnic cleansing, since World War II, and one more tragedy which the world turned a blind eye to. The main target of the massacre was Bosniak (Muslim Bosnian’s) boys and men, who’s ages ranged from 16-60 years old, however a number of younger boys, women, elderly and children, where also murdered during the bloody three day siege.

The story of the war in Bosnia, and the pursuing genocide in Srebrinca, is both complex and simple, for the town once bore little evidence of Serb nationalism, ethnic or religious tensions. With a Muslim majority at the time of the war, around 70%, the 1991 census has it at almost 64%, the town soon became almost entirely Serb following the massacre.

The marking of the 12th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide began on Sunday, July 8, with a three-day march from Nezuk in Sapna Municipality to Potocari, over the same route Srebrenica citizens used to escape to Tuzla in 1995. On July 11, a mass burial of approximately 450 identified bodies will take place.

BBC Coverage of the March on July 8, 2007

Many Srebrenica citizens who temporarily moved to Sarajevo in April have made the decission to evacuate their tent settlement by the end of the week, most are planning to return to Srebrenica.  Entity governments will take part in financing Fund for Support to Missing Persons’ Families. The Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) Missing Persons Institute (MPI) hopes that identifying missing persons’ remains will continue to increase, will now go much faster.  The BiH Council of Ministers has also adopted some proposals that will assist in implementing programs regarding abusive police officers, the list was sent by the United Nations Security Council President, and the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, has been asked to forward the statement to all relevant institutions.

Genocide is a crime against humanity, and no one can escape its effects, but the ones who suffer the most from genocide are the children. Remember the fatherless children, the mother’s still morning their sons, many who where only young children.

As this article does not delve deep into the history of the war in Bosnia, or the Srebrinca Genocide, the following BBC in depth report, which aired on #, is well worth watching and will give you most of the background information you need. Unfortunately a full clip was unable to be obtained and it is in 5 parts, each running around 9 minutes.

Links:
Dutch commander says U.N., NATO abandoned peacekeepers
Srebrinca Genocide Blog
‘Srebrenica’– Code Word to Silence Critics of US Policy in the Balkans
The Real Srebrinca Genocide Blogspot
Lessons of the Srebrinca Genocide
Human Rights Watch - Bosnia-Hercegovina Genocide Conviction for Srebrenica
Srebrenica Genocide Mass Graves

Julianne Duncan is the Associate Director for Children’s Services, with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services. This Q&A is to follow-up with yesterdays posting, and bring you more from my interview with Ms. Duncan. If you have not read yesterdays post, please do so, Ms. Duncan has a great deal of information and knowledge to share on the subject of child trafficking.

What do you think is the biggest misnomer or confusion about human trafficking?
“One of the biggest confusions, well there are two, on one side there is confusion and complexity as to if it is smuggling or trafficking. It may not actually be trafficking, but there are circumstances where they children look like they are participating in something looking like the sex trade…”. “The nexus between smuggling and trafficking is complex, there is great confusion on to what level of proof they need. There has been progress, but needs to be much more”.

Does USCCB work with both domestic and international victims of trafficking?
Yes

Do you find you have more hurdles to face with domestic or international victims?/What is the difference in domestic victims and international victims?
“Internal to the US and not thinking about immigration when thinking of trafficking, but US children trafficked within the United States…there is lots of discussion and confusion, with some people in the United states thinking that U.S. born children not getting benefits that foreign born children have gotten. This mired in a lack of knowledge… as really few children are cared for that are foreign. However US children are also facing huge barriers though very different than foreign born children. For domestic children, they do not necessarily have to say “yes, I did work in a brothel“, as most have been picked up for prostitution, therefore they are faced with being treated as juvenile delinquents, not as trafficking victims.” “For foreign born children who are trafficked, the biggest obstacle is being identified, and therefore cared for. They are not easily able to articulate their situation, they are afraid and ashamed to say, “yes, I was working in a brothel”, but if they do not say it they cannot be cared for.” “So often foreign born children are treated as illegal aliens and not trafficking victims”.

The one thing that Ms. Duncan, stated was the most important consensus with children, regardless of their nationality or immigration status, is that “children cannot consent! For children if they are actively participating in the sex trade, they are defacto victims”

When asked what needs to be done to ensure that both foreign and US born children receive more adequate care and protection, Ms. Duncan stated,

“Continuing to raise awareness is quite important and continuing to improve the laws. The biggest issue is to improve our administration of the law with all the agencies involved. All three U.S. federal government agencies who have responsibilities for trafficking have different goals and objectives in mind…victims are touched by all three and it is easy for them to fall through the cracks”.

According to Ms. Duncan it is “easy to fall through some big gapping cracks”, and it is a problem for everyone involved in any aspect of trafficking work, but it is an even bigger problem with children. “Though it would seem to easier in theory, however in practice it is harder as they do not need the children to testify, and therefore children quickly drop off the radar screen…as they focus on prosecution”. According to Ms. Duncan, this problem is completely “unintentional, but the biggest problem in the US”, and she stated that there needs to be a seamless effort, consensus and way forward within in all three agencies.

When placing children who have been victimized by trafficking, what is the most difficult hurdle that the children face in their resettlement?
For foreign born children who have been trafficked into the United States, they have many adjustments to make when they are removed from the trafficking situation and stabilized in foster care if they do not have families to care for them. Being among unfamiliar people, even when they speak the language and have familiar food or customs is the initial hurdle. It takes the child a while to begin trusting anyone. Since they have been betrayed by their traffickers and sometimes by their family of origin, establishing trust is the most difficult hurdle.

What programs are most in need when it comes to the placement and rehabilitation of child victims of trafficking?
Getting a child through the system of referrals and barriers is really the biggest problem right now. The system of identification and referral is simply not as seamless as we all wish it would be. Developing adequate program response to assist the government and potential providers is the greatest lack right now. Once children are identified and referred for foster care or for care in local areas, programs need adequate trained staff and enough skilled foster parents to assist the child victims.

“Since the Victims of Trafficking Act was passed in 2000, the number of victims of children identified are less than 100, and if estimates are correct then there should have been 47,000”. Ms. Duncan stated, “Its amazing how poorly we are doing as a country. It’s a hard problem all the way around, for the government, and for us as NGOs”. “There isn’t a lot of dissension that children should not be trafficking”, yet there are a great many strides that still need to be accomplished if we are going to be able to truly protect, assist and rehabilitate child trafficking victims.

The last thing we in the public remember or think is, that there was a raid and then it slips off the radar of our minds….and when the topic of trafficking falls from our minds, we need to aware that is when children are beginning to fight once again, as they fall through the cracks. It is after a raid and the publicity of a raid or law enforcement action that we need to be offering care to the children who have been caught up in the trafficking situation. We must realize not only that the issue of child trafficking is a problem that does not end with the recovery of victims. There are many people and organizations working hard every day to provide the victims of trafficking a bright future, but they too struggle in the fight. The USCCB continues to work tirelessly on behalf of child victims of human trafficking, and continuously works to advocate and lobby for stronger laws, enforcement and support services.

Links:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking
Guidance for Identifying a Child Victim of Trafficking
Frequently Asked Questions About Services to Trafficked Children
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Fact Sheet
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the US Department of Health and Family Services - Administration for Children and Families
The Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking

This week I spoke with Julianne Duncan, Associate Director for Children’s Services, with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services, about the issues facing child trafficking victims in the United States. The USCCB and the Catholic church have been a strong proponent of migrant rights since the early days of US history when Catholic immigrants where being met with great hardship and public distance. It has been an international priority for the Catholic Church to speak up for immigrant rights, and they see it as their responsibility to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, and therefore program priorities are to access funding and use church funding for those who have no one to care for them. “Most vulnerable of the migrants are those who cannot depend on their own countries support and protections. Refugees or trafficking victims….we speak heavily….most vulnerable of those are unaccompanied children.”

When did USCCB get involved in the fight to combat trafficking, and what prompted the church to get so involved? “Trafficking has been policy priority since at least the mid 90s. USCCB, has been interested and concerned in the trafficking around the world as well as within the US, and was one of the original agencies that advocated and pushed through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000.” The USCCB has been helping victims of trafficking from Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, through three federally funded programs. Programs include a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, and two grants to raise awareness on trafficking from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime, to raise awareness about the issue of trafficking and serve the victims.

In January of 2003, the USCCB and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) received funding for a Trafficked Child Placement and Technical Assistance Program, which places children, including trafficked children, in Unaccompanied Refugee Minor programs. “Through these programs, trafficked children are able to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate care, including mental health services, intensive case management, and education.” In addition USCCB and LIRS offer specialized assistance and training for service providers of trafficked children.

Most recently, the USCCB has been contracted for a National Services Contract for Victims of Human Trafficking. The contract gives the USCCB the ability to subcontract with local organizations to provide comprehensive case management services to adults and pre-eligible children who are survivors of human trafficking, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. USCCB/MRS provides coordination, training, per capita funding, and monitoring to subcontractors, and partners with Project REACH and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) to provide technical assistance to the subcontractors serving human trafficking survivors.

The USCCB is also part of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking, other member organizations include Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, Covenant House, and many others. The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking woks to develop plans to combat trafficking, increase aid to victims, work with policy makers, provide public advocacy and education.

According to Ms. Duncan, “trafficking victims are in a precarious position”, which is due to their immigration status, high level of vulnerability, and in regards to children their often inability to speak up for themselves. The USCCB aims to get more policy and advocacy for victims, and gives “equal importance to advocacy and policy, as to program services”.

Please read my next post, tomorrow, July 11, which will contain more information on USCCB and child trafficking, as Ms. Duncan answers a number of detailed key questions.

Links:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking
Guidance for Identifying a Child Victim of Trafficking
Frequently Asked Questions About Services to Trafficked Children
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Fact Sheet
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the US Department of Health and Family Services - Administration for Children and Families
The Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking

Slavery is not a shameful part of our past…slavery is a shameful part of our past, we failed to learn from! One hears the word slavery and they think back 200 years ago, but sadly there are more slaves today.

Child trafficking is child slavery, and it is not something happening in some far away place, but a problem no country can escape. Child trafficking is not someone else’s problem, it is a plague that effects us all, and no country is spared. A child does not have to be transported across international borders, or even state lines, to be a victim of trafficking. Child trafficking also includes many victims of child soldiers, child labor, child pornography. What is child trafficking? Trafficking is the ‘recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people for the purpose of exploitation’. Trafficking of persons includes the threat, coercion or use of force, to abduct and/or deceive vulnerable persons, for the purpose of exploitation, either sexual or nonsexual.

Youth for Human Rights Human Slavery Public Service Announcement

The United States has been taking a number of steps in the fight against human trafficking, one of the most important step was the creation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which was enacted into law in October 2000. There are three main government organizations involved in combating human trafficking, they are the Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. Of course local and state police, the State Department, FBI, CIA, Department of Labor, and countless non-profit organizations are working on a daily basis to prevent trafficking, stop trafficking, rescue victims, prosecute traffickers, and provide victims support. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) works to see that the child is a victim of trafficking victim and therefore eligible for legal assistance, counseling, foster care, and and any other benefits, this is primarily carried out by individual states or NGOs. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has established the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), which works with the US States Attorney’s offices, to see that those persons who have a role in child trafficking, slavery and exploitation are brought to justice.

Video on the DC Trafficking Task Force

We are making strides to combat human trafficking and modern day slavery in the US, yet the fight is global and it will not end until we eliminate the root of trafficking, poverty. Child trafficking is a billion dollar industry, that preys on the weak and vulnerable, especially children. We are finally beginning to see the the truth as a nation and a global society, but we have a long way to go. Join the fight against child trafficking today, get informed, be aware and do your part no matter how small.

Recent Trafficking News:
EAST AFRICA: Human trafficking ‘on the rise’
India - Key Accused in Human Trafficking Scam Jailed
US - Lawmaker targets human trafficking
U.S. human trafficking report misses progress: Saudi
US Customs and Border Protection Steps Up Fight Against Human Trafficking
Danish funded anti-trafficking training sessions for Ukraine
Greece - Human trafficking ring busted

SAIS Hosted Forum on Trafficking in Persons on June 20, Mark Lagon, the newly appointed director of the U.S. State Department’s
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, discussed the department’s recently released “2007 Trafficking in Persons Report” during a forum at SAIS on Wednesday, June 20. Click here to download or listen to audio of this event.

I have done a number of posts on child trafficking, child soldiers, and other forms of trafficking, therefore please see my previous posts for more information. Slaves in America and Follow up to Slaves in America, may be of particular interest.

Links:
The United States Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons
2006 TIP Report
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Human Trafficking
Millions Live in Modern-Day Slavery
New Internationalist; Slavery in the 21st Century
Foreign Affairs: The New Global Slave Trade
I Abolish
Stop Child Poverty
International Labor Rights Fund
National Geographic Map - Slavery by Country with Facts
Stop Child Trafficking
Child Trafficking
Polaris Project
Anti Trafficking Alliance
Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Woman
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
‘Guidence for Identifying a Child Victim of Trafficking’ by USCCB
ILO
The Emancipation Network
AFESIP
U.S. State Dept. - Office to Combat and Monitor Trafficking in Persons
Amnesty International: Women’s Human Rights Network
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
Girls Educational and Mentoring Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The US Department of Health Administration for Children and Families - The Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking
Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking
Guidance for Identifying a Child Victim of Trafficking
Frequently Asked Questions About Services to Trafficked Children
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the US Department of Health and Family Services - Administration for Children and Families
The Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking

‘Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent concert series taking place on 7/7/07 that will bring together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people to trigger a global movement to solve the climate crisis.’

You may not have been able to fight the crowds to attend on of the many events that is circling the globe, but you can still do your part. Be aware, be informed, do your part, do justice to our children. Children inherit the earth, but what earth they will inherit is up to all of us as a global community.

Doing your part is not as hard as you thought, start with the little things…don’t run the water while you brush your teeth, take your own bags to the grocery store, keep your appliances unplugged when not in use, don’t turn on so many lights…turn off the lights when not in the room, plant more trees, recycle, re-use, carpool or use public transport when you can, etc… Leave your mark on the world, and make it a good one!

So join the movement today, fight global warming! You can be entertained and informed by watching the coverage right in your living room, or maybe you have joined one of the many Live Earth living room parties (a great way to conserve on electricity, but maybe not your beer)!

For more information see my previous posts Children the True Victims of Climate Change, and Climate Change and Our Children, a Continuing Saga. Please also see the esteemed Bill Hewitt’s blog on Climate Change for more detailed information and news.

The following channels are broadcasting the show:
BRAVO
9am-2am est
UNI HD
4am-2am est
SUNDANCE
4am-2am est
MSNBC
8am - 4pm est
CNBC
8am-2am est
TELEMUNDO
7pm to 8pm est
MUN2
5pm to 7pm est