News Archives » human trafficking
JPIC Report Fall/Winter Issue Now Available October 21st, 2011
The Fall/Winter Issue of our bi-annual newsletter is now available. (Download the PDF…)
This issue includes articles on the “Books to Prisons” project, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Environmental Justice at Mary Immaculate, Faith and Values in Investing, ICCR’s 40th Anniversary, California legislation Against Slavery and Trafficking, a VIVAT International Workshop in India, Economic Growth vs a Steady State Economy, and the The Foreclosure Crisis.
Bipartisan Bill on Human Rights Risks in Supply Chains August 16th, 2011
On August 1, 2011, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Business Transparency on Trafficking and Slavery Act (H.R. 2759). If enacted into law, the bill would require companies to disclose efforts to identify and address the risks of human trafficking, forced labor, slavery, and the worst forms of child labor in their supply chains. The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), the Chairman of the US House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.
H.R. 2759 would require companies to include such disclosures in their annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Disclosure would include policies to identify and eliminate risks of forced labor, slavery, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor within their supply chains. It would also require suppliers to certify that materials incorporated into the products comply with laws regarding the above issues in the country or countries in which they are doing business.
The disclosures would be available on the SEC and company websites. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for further legislative consideration. Stay tuned to the JPIC website for updates on this important legislation.
Stop Trafficking: July Newsletter Issue Available August 2nd, 2011
The Stop Trafficking newsletter, hosted by the STOP ENSLAVEMENT web domain, serves as a forum for exchange among religious congregations and their collaborating organizations:
- to promote awareness about human trafficking
- to exchange best practices in advocacy for and empowerment of survivors of human trafficking
- to recommend actions to counter human trafficking
Read the July issue of Stop Trafficking at www.stopenslavement.org
Available in English and Spanish.
Bishops Speak Out on Migration Issues July 7th, 2011
In June, the Catholic Bishops from North America, Central America and the Caribbean met in Costa Rica to discuss migration in the region.
The bishops raised concerns about the increased violence against and kidnapping of migrants by organized crime, the increase in deportations between the United States and Mexico, the tragedy of human trafficking and growing economic inequality. The Bishops also urged continued support for the recovery of Haiti.
Please find attached the final statement of the bishops in English and Spanish – outlining priority concerns regarding the level of violence and kidnapping of migrants, threats against Church personnel working with them, the need to prioritize economic and development alternatives.
A full text of the joint statement in English can be found at: http://www.txcatholic.org/index.php/news/216-regional-bishops-issue-joint-statement-on-migration
A Spanish version is also available: http://www.usccb.org/mrs/regional-consultation-on-migration-2011-espanol.pdf
Take Action on Child Sex Trafficking in Wyndham Hotels July 1st, 2011
Thanks to Change.org for this Action Alert
From 2006 to 2011, Crips gang members in San Diego ran a child sex trafficking ring out of area hotels that destroyed the lives at least 16 girls.
An 18-month FBI investigation discovered that the gang was able to use two Wyndham-owned hotels (Travelodge and Howard Johnson) regularly for child prostitution with the knowledge and even assistance of staff.
After hearing about these cases, San Diego native Tim Rosner started a petition urging the Wyndham Hotel Group to sign an international child protection agreement for travel and tourism companies, which could have saved those 16 girls from sexual exploitation.
Staff at several Wyndham-owned motels have profited from sex trafficking, even though Wyndham has a child protection policy. The chain has failed at least 16 children — with more cases emerging.
Two major American hotel chains — Hilton Worldwide and Carlson Companies, an entity that includes Radisson Hotels and other chains — have already signed the international child protection policy, as have 945 other companies across 37 countries.
Click here to make sure Wyndham is next to sign the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children and call on the company to implement this stricter child protection policy in order to prevent future instances of child sex trafficking:
Thanks for taking action.
