Branches of Hope eNews November 2020

THIS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STOP TRAFFICKING OF PEOPLE (STOP), PROVIDING YOU WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE NEWS, EVENTS AND RESOURCES RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING. FOR DAILY UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

A warm welcome to Michelle
We are delighted to introduce you to Michelle Wong, our new Programme Manager. Prior to joining STOP, Michelle spent her past decade working with the homeless community, women workers, precarious workers, and migrants in Hong Kong. She hopes to contribute her experience as a labour activist and expertise in gender perspective in combating human trafficking.

Join our upcoming webinar!
Register now for “COVID’s Impact on Human Trafficking & The Sex Industry in Hong Kong”, a discussion on how to combat the growing misconceptions of the sex industry in Hong Kong. STOP will be speaking on the panel with Sons & Daughters and Hong Kong Dignity Institute through Zoom, on 19 November, 12-2pm (HKT). See you there!

Hong Kong’s refusal to scrap the domestic worker ‘live-in rule’ perpetuates racism and sexism
Date: 25 September 2020
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
On Sept 21, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal ruled against Filipino domestic worker Nancy Almorin Lubiano, who sought to overturn the rule that forces the women workers to live in the same home as their employer. This latest ruling makes clear the sexist and racist logic that undergirds the domestic worker labour structure in Hong Kong. At the core of this case is the mistreatment and dehumanisation of migrant women, who were imported as economic tools to fill Hong Kong’s need for domestic labour.
Stolen lives: The harrowing story of two girls sold into sexual slavery
Date: 28 September 2020
Source: National Geographic
Before they were sold to the same brothel, Sayeda and Anjali were typical teenagers, growing up in similar circumstances a few hundred miles apart. They nurtured the aspirations of teenagers everywhere—to get out from under their parents, to find love, to start living out their dreams. Both were naïve about the world and couldn’t have imagined the cruelties it had in store… Trafficking minors for sex is a multibillion-dollar industry that spans the globe. One region in India and Bangladesh has emerged as a hub of this illicit trade.
US includes Taiwan on forced labor list due to fishing industry abuses
Date: 1 October 2020
Source: Seafood Source
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released its 2020 “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor,” and has included Taiwan for the first time for its issues related to forced labor in the fishing industry. The inclusion comes after 19 NGOs and businesses urged the DOL to include the nation on its list after discoveries of forced labor on fishing vessels in Southeast Asia.
Access the article here.
Read more: Taiwanese fleets accused of illegal fishing, human rights abuses

‘Black gold’: How global demand for hair products is linked to forced labor in Xinjiang
Date: 9 October 2020
Source: CNN
The Black hair care market in the United States was estimated to be worth more than US$2.5 billion in 2018. The majority of hair products come from Asia, mostly China. Now, some of the Chinese factories supplying thousands of kilograms of hair to the American market are under scrutiny by the US government, which is alleging the use of forced labor in the country’s far western region of Xinjiang — where rights groups say up to 2 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been detained in internment camps since 2016.
Thai man disguised as monk held for sexual offences against teen
Date: 14 October 2020
Source: New Straits Times
Natthaphat Charurerk, 21, living on the run as a novice Buddhist monk, was accused of organising for the 19 year-old victim to be gang raped and recording the crime with his mobile phone. He allegedly published and advertised images and clips of the rape on Twitter and Line to make money. Natthaphat has been charged with forcing a person to provide sex services and violating the Computer Crime Act. He could also face a human trafficking charge, police said.

Rugby saves school girls from child marriage in rural Zimbabwe
Date: 1 October 2020
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
When the girls at Sahumani Secondary School in eastern Zimbabwe started playing rugby, they had to make do with the soccer pitch and the oversized football shirts used by the boys. Five years on, several have represented their country in the sport, and many more credit it with saving them from becoming child brides in a nation where early marriage remains common despite being outlawed in 2016. Catherine Muranganwa, whose two sisters were married before they turned 18, says playing rugby opened her eyes to different possibilities.
‘Thousands of victims of child trafficking denied right to stay in the UK
Date: 17 October 2020
Source: The Guardian
Kobe was in his final year at primary school when a drug gang recruited him. By then he’d been passed around seven different foster placements and met so many social workers he’d lost track of their names. Aged 17, Kobe was identified by the UK government as a child victim of trafficking. But Kobe has been told he will be sent back to Ghana, a west African country he has no memory of since arriving in London aged five. He is one of thousands of child victims of trafficking at risk of deportation as a result of the Home Office’s “hostile” immigration policies.

Movie: New Nollywood film shines a light on human trafficking in Nigeria
Date: 7 October 2020
Source: CNN
Every year, tens of thousands of people are trafficked from Nigeria, particularly Edo State in the nation’s south, which has become one of Africa’s largest departure points for irregular migration. Many women who are trafficked in Nigeria face sexual, physical and mental abuse, according to a 2019 report by Human Rights Watch. Through “Oloture,” the difficult realities of these women, particularly those who are sexually exploited, come to light.
Access the article here.
Watch the trailer here.
Report: UNODC report reveals linkages between human trafficking and forced marriage
Date: 7 October 2020
Source: UN News
Across the world, girls as young as 12 are being forced or tricked into marrying men who exploit them for sex and domestic work, in what the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called an “under-reported, global form of human trafficking”. The agency has published a report which documents the interlinkages between trafficking in persons and marriage, and provides steps for governments and other authorities to strike back.
Access the article here.
Read the report here.

Animated Series: Taking on the traffickers — Three warriors battling the slave trade
Date: 17 October 2020
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
The pressure is high and the stakes are even higher for those dedicated to tackling the global trade in sex and labour. These efforts come at a cost – solitude, sorrow and stress – but their lives are seldom showcased. Valderez defied years of death threats. Van risks his life to mount undercover rescues. Maria escaped sexual slavery and now pursues the traffickers who profit from human misery. Three ordinary people with extraordinary stories – all on a mission to end modern-day slavery.
STOP ENEWS, PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH, AIMS TO PROVIDE CURRENT NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES TO THE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. IF YOU HAVE ANTI-TRAFFICKING RELATED ACTIVITIES OR RESOURCES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THROUGH OUR ENEWS NETWORK, SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO NEWS@STOPHK.ORG. INCLUSION OF CONTENT IN NO WAY REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF OUR ORGANISATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
STOP IS AN INITIATIVE OF BRANCHES OF HOPE BASED IN HONG KONG. IT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANISATION OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR NAME.

歡迎Michelle
我們很高興為大家介紹 STOP 的新成員黃筱媛(Michelle),她將擔任項目主任一職。加入 STOP 前,Michelle曾於香港組織無家者、婦女、邊緣勞工。她希望把與邊緣勞工同行的經驗和性別視角帶到反人口販運的運動當中。

【開放報名】《新冠疫情對香港人口販運情況及性行業的影響》網上研討會
STOP 將於2020年11月19號,下午12:00-14:00,以講者身分出席《新冠疫情對香港人口販運情況及性行業的影響》網上研討會。屆時我們會與本地非牟利機構天國兒女以及香港守護尊嚴中心的代表一同討論如何解開香港性行業迷思。研討會將以英語進行,有興趣人士可按此參閱詳情。到時見!

疫情間外傭受虐數字升 勞工處回覆:未有備存記錄
日期:2020年10月2日
來源:香港01
外勞事工中心 唐曉昕:「當受害者希望投訴的時候,她需要思考生計。」隱形香港收到投訴,指有外傭於疫情期間被僱主虐待。手法包括:掌摑腳踢罰抄剝奪睡眠甚至剝奪上廁所的權利。我們接觸到這幾位受虐的外傭…
美國勞動部首次將臺灣漁獲名列「強迫勞動製品清單」
日期:2020年10月2日
來源:綠色和平
美國勞動部每兩年都會發布「童工及強迫勞動製品清單」,今年於9月30日晚間公布,首次將臺灣遠洋漁船所捕撈的漁獲列入名單中。日後臺灣遠洋漁船的漁獲產品出口美國將面對嚴格限制,除非可證明產品並非由強迫勞工生產,否則可能不得進口。此項制裁預計將造成遠洋漁業中難以計算的經濟損失,也影響臺灣在國際間的人權聲譽。

《被偷走的人生》:兩個女孩的故事
日期:2020年10月1日
來源:國家地理雜誌
《被偷走的人生》是記者尤迪吉.貝特查吉揭開調查的人權悲劇:販運兒童並逼迫他們成為性奴來賺錢。為了報導這個全球性的悲劇,我們從了解莎薏妲和安潔莉令人心碎的故事開始:被男子欺騙並賣到妓院,每天被強暴高達20次,不聽話就遭毒打。
+ 全文
+ 了解更多:FB、Twitter、微信騙少女感情 藉口旅行實情賣做性奴
疑來自新疆集中營人髮製品已成「黑金」 美持續查扣以打擊強制勞動
日期:2020年10月11日
來源:蘋果日報
以真正人髮做成的假髮等製品,近年自中國大量湧入美國市場。美國之音報導指,美國海關及邊境保護局已經針對幾家製造商的真髮製品發出暫扣令。CNN報導,被稱為「黑金」的真髮製品行業,2018年為美國經濟帶來25億美元(約港幣194億元)以上的收益,而絕大多數髮製品來自亞洲,主要是中國。而中國的真髮製品,據信大多來自新疆的強制勞動營。
泰版N號房事件 假和尚主謀涉性販運少女
日期:2020年10月17日
來源:四方報
根據《Dailynews》報導,受害人與交往一年多的男友行房時被偷拍性愛影片。後來男友以不雅片威脅女孩與多名男子發生性關係,不僅向參與男子們收費,利用女孩的身體獲利;自己還在一旁將過程全程錄影下來上傳至Twitter和Line等網站,以600元泰銖(約港幣150元)的會員費在網路販賣,二度剝削女孩私密影像,變態行徑令人憤怒。
新型冠狀病毒疫情下 今年再多50萬女童面對童婚風險
日期:2020年10月1日
來源:香港救助兒童會
救助兒童會最新分析顯示,新型冠狀病毒疫情所引發的經濟影響,估計將導致350萬女童面臨被迫童婚的風險,多達100萬名女童更將於今年懷孕,分別比去年增加4%和3%。救助兒童會行政總裁Inger Ashing指出:「疫情導致更多家庭陷入貧困,很多女童被迫工作以維持家計,她們捱餓,照顧病患家人,甚至輟學,與男童相比,女童較難再有機會重返校園。」

哥倫比亞女子竭力助受性剝削兒童走出傷痛
日期:2020年10月6日
來源:聯合國難民署
Mayerlín Vergara Pérez因其致力幫助年輕的性暴力倖存者重獲新生的努力,而榮獲南森難民獎。孩子們有些來自街頭、有些從妓院和酒吧中被解救出來,亦有許多是難民,更有的被人口販賣組織操控,被迫遭受性剝削。Maye說:「對我來說,這個獎項象徵給一眾男孩和女孩一個機會。」她希望獎項能證明這一點:「性暴力倖存者也有能力改變命運,為家庭和社會帶來正面的影響。這是絕對有可能實現的。」

研究:聯合國報告揭示人口販運與強迫婚姻之間的聯繫
日期:2020年10月7日
來源:聯合國新聞
聯合國毒品和犯罪問題辦公室(UNODC)7日發布的報告記錄了人口販運與婚姻之間的相互關係,並向各國政府提供應對建議。報告稱,大多數以婚姻為目的的販運案件都涉及來自弱勢家庭的年輕女性受害者,有的年僅12歲。她們被迫接受的所謂「婚姻」通常由家庭成員、婚禮代理或經紀人安排,以換取經濟或物質利益。這類販運中只有一小部分案件成功引起警方關注,而最終定罪的案件很少。
研究:全球2900萬婦女淪現代奴隸
日期:2020年10月11日
來源:星島日報
根據最新報告的統計,全球有二千九百萬婦女為現代奴隸的受害者,比澳洲的人口還多,她們遭受逼害的方式包括被逼工、逼婚,淪為債奴與家奴等。人權團體「自由行基金會」聯合創辦人佛瑞斯特稱,這意味着如今每一百三十個婦女中,就有一個陷入現代奴隸的處境。佛瑞斯特在聯合國記者會上說:「實情是當今生活在奴隸制中的人,比人類史上任何時候都還要多。」

評論:國際品牌商力推移工「零付費」改革,台灣廠商和仲介跟得上嗎?
日期:2020年10月21日
來源:報導者
2010-2012年,富士康位於深圳的工廠,總共發生18起工人跳樓或其他形式的自殺行為,引發國際媒體關注。事後,戴爾、惠普、聯想、索尼都被陸續揭發合作的國外代工廠的勞動環境惡劣。為了挽救電子行業搖搖欲墜的聲譽,全球最大電子消費品聯盟「責任商業聯盟」(RBA)在2019年,進一步向全球供應商發布關於仲介費的行為準則,以確保「所有勞工不應為了被雇用而支付任何費用,尤其是外籍移工」…
+ 全文
+ 閱讀更多:馬來西亞「頂級手套」涉強迫勞動,遭美、紐停止進口
STOP. 中文電子報每月出版,旨在向本港打擊販運人口的社區提供最新的新聞和資源。如你有反人口販運的資訊想透過本報發放,請聯絡 NEWS@STOPHK.ORG。本電子報內容並不反映 STOP. 的立場,謝謝您對本組織的支持。STOP. 是 希望枝子有限公司 (BRANCHES OF HOPE) 其中一個項目,旨在對抗人口販運。本組織與其他名稱類同的反人口販運組織並無關連。
THIS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STOP TRAFFICKING OF PEOPLE (STOP), PROVIDING YOU WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE NEWS, EVENTS AND RESOURCES RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING. FOR DAILY UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

Thank you Hong Kong Free Press!
STOP spoke with Hong Kong Free Press earlier this month on the criminalization of migrant trafficking victims in Hong Kong. Here are three takeaways from the article:
Hong Kong domestic worker loses legal bid to overturn compulsory live-in rule
Date: 21 September 2020
Source: Hong Kong Free Press
The Court of Appeal rejected Filipino domestic worker Nancy Almorin Lubiano’s appeal against her unsuccessful legal challenge in 2018, which sought to overturn the compulsory live-in rule. In a statement, Daly & Associates said the firm was disappointed with the judgement and called it a “judicial stamp” that dismissed foreign domestic workers as “not worthy” of the basic rights enjoyed by others living and working in Hong Kong.
Access the article here.
Read more: Pictures from the inside — Investigating living accommodation of women foreign domestic workers towards advocacy and action

The world’s top suppliers of disposable gloves are thriving because of the pandemic. Their workers aren’t.
Date: 12 September 2020
Source: CNN
Demand for disposable gloves has surged during the coronavirus pandemic as health care workers rush to secure the supplies they need to treat the disease and protect themselves. The Malaysia-based Top Glove and its local rivals have benefited enormously from that need. But with extra demand comes renewed scrutiny of how these Malaysian companies treat their workers, particularly foreign staff recruited from neighboring countries. Labor rights activists who spoke to CNN Business said that practices reported by former workers contain elements of forced labor.
U.S. restricts Chinese apparel and tech products, citing forced labor
Date: 14 September 2020
Source: The New York Times
The Trump administration announced new restrictions on imports of apparel, hair products and technology goods from certain Chinese companies. The measure would allow U.S. customs agents to detain and potentially destroy goods brought into the country that are made by the named companies or entities in Xinjiang, a far western region where China has detained as many as a million Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in internment camps and prisons.
Access the article here.
Read more: Pandemic complicates supplier audits, increases modern slavery risk in Asian manufacturing hubs
Cybersex trafficking is a ‘family-based crime’
Date: 14 September 2020
Source: Back End News
“I like to run around the yard with my friends, I like to color, I like to make jewelry and I like reading.” In 2016, along with other children in her family, Rosie was “supervised” by her mother and aunt to perform sexual acts for a paying customer watching through the webcam. The 11-year-old was later rescued by the police and the International Justice Mission (IJM)-Cebu from online sexual exploitation. According to a study, which examined cases from 2011 to 2017, online sexual exploitation of children was typically a family-based crime, with 41% of traffickers being biological parents and 42% being other relatives.

Escape: the woman who brought her trafficker to justice
Date: 27 August 2020
Source: The Guardian
Thousands of young women leave home in Nigeria every year on the promise of a good job in Europe, only to be trapped by debt and forced into prostitution. But one joined forces with investigators in Italy to expose the traffickers.
Minimum wage, no NOC: Qatar announces changes to labour law
Date: 30 August 2020
Source: Aljazeera
Qatar has scrapped a rule requiring employers’ consent to change jobs and said it will also implement a basic monthly minimum wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals (HK$2100). The landmark announcement by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs on 30 August is the latest in a series of labour reforms by the country whose treatment of migrant workers and its human rights record have been under the spotlight since it was awarded the hosting of football’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.

‘A race against time’: the new law putting Somalia’s children at risk of marriage
Date: 3 September 2020
Source: The Guardian
According to the latest government figures, 34% of Somali girls are married before they reach 18, and 16% of them before their 15th birthday. Marriage under 18 is not illegal in Somalia, although the constitution prohibits it and the country is signed up to several international treaties promising to tackle it. However, last month, the Somali parliament tabled a controversial bill that would allow a child to be married once they reached puberty, which can mean 10 years old. The sexual intercourse related crimes bill would also allow marriage if parents consented. The UN has called the bill “deeply flawed”.
Report: Coming clean — A study on the well-being of Bangladeshi conservancy workers in Singapore
Date: 31 August 2020
Source: Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME)
Conservancy workers are essential workers who maintain Singapore’s high-rise public housing estates, ensuring that they remain clean and habitable. Coming Clean is a report by HOME that details the findings of the research and HOME’s recommendations as regards the working lives of Bangladeshi conservancy workers (BCWs). Key struggles faced by BCWs include excessive debt burdens, depressed wages, long working hours, heavy workloads, a lack of rest day, and restricted access to medical care.
Report: Childhood criminal exploitation and school exclusions
Date: 4 September 2020
Source: Together
The report is based on Just for Kids Law’s casework with vulnerable children in the UK over many years, and includes the stories of young people for whom school exclusion was a tipping point into exploitation at a moment when they could have been protected from harm. It highlights the fact that there is currently no legal safeguard for young people from school exclusion linked to criminal exploitation. This worrying gap in protection leaves excluded children at risk of falling into the control of criminals seeking to exploit them and puts their future, welfare and safety in danger.
Read the report here.
Read more: Underground lives — Criminal exploitation of adult victims

Documentary: Egypt’s organ traffickers — ‘I woke up screaming’
Date: 14 September 2020
Source: BBC
A BBC investigation has spoken to an organ trafficker who said his gang arranges 20-30 illegal kidney transplants every week. The kidneys are mostly sold by African migrants and refugees who are trying to raise money to get from Egypt to Europe. But the senior gang member told BBC Panorama that almost half of the donors don’t get paid after the operation. The Egyptian government says it has won international praise for the way it is combatting the crime.
Watch the film here.
Read more: Organ trafficking in Egypt—‘They locked me in and took my kidney’
Resource: Nurses have a role in protecting victims of human trafficking
Date: 21 September 2020
Source: Australian College of Nursing
For every one victim of human trafficking and modern slavery in Australia, another four go undetected. Nurses are on the front line and can potentially help identify and protect vulnerable people who are being exploited and harmed. The ACN Human Trafficking Position Statement provides nurses with key indicators which will alert them to potential victims enabling nurses to provide safe advice and sensitively support people they believe may be victims of human trafficking.
Access the press release here.
Read the statement here.
STOP ENEWS, PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH, AIMS TO PROVIDE CURRENT NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES TO THE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. IF YOU HAVE ANTI-TRAFFICKING RELATED ACTIVITIES OR RESOURCES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THROUGH OUR ENEWS NETWORK, SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO NEWS@STOPHK.ORG. INCLUSION OF CONTENT IN NO WAY REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF OUR ORGANISATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
STOP IS AN INITIATIVE OF BRANCHES OF HOPE BASED IN HONG KONG. IT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANISATION OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR NAME.

感謝 Hong Kong Free Press 的採訪報導
STOP 月初接受香港英文網媒《香港自由新聞》訪問,討論有關人口販運受害移工在香港被視為罪犯的問題。報導重點包括:
+ 全文(英)
+ 了解更多:「鳥仔」與「小蜜蜂」──那些跨境運毒的囚困少年
外傭挑戰與僱主同住規定遭駁回 上訴庭:外傭無居留權 不能依國際公約申索
日期:2020年9月21日
來源:立場新聞
有外籍傭工早前向高等法院申請司法覆核,挑戰現時外籍家庭傭工計劃中,要求外傭必須與僱主同住的規定,上訴庭21日頒下判詞裁定外傭敗訴。代表申請人的帝理律師行發表聲明,指同住的要求是對本地海外勞工的系統性歧視,以之改正必須依靠法院落實有關人士的恰當、正確權利。遺憾地上訴庭只是再確立在《基本法》和《經濟,社會,文化權利國際公約》中關於人權的規定,將繼續被取消任何實際意義和效力。
「你們、我們」思維的代價:新加坡疫情,為何因移工宿舍感染失控?
日期:2020年8月30日
來源:報導者
新加坡自1月21日出現第一起COVID-19確診案例後,在沒有封鎖邊境、持續各類經濟活動的狀態下,維持了2個多月的低確診案例狀態。然而,3月30日開始,事情出現變化,專門給外籍移工居住的宿舍赫然成了疫情焦點。新加坡外交部巡迴大使許通美在他的Facebook上直批,新加坡對待外籍移工的方式不是第一世界,而是第三世界,「這些宿舍就像定時炸彈一般。」

高雄少女失蹤案背後 是數位性別暴力的巨大黑影
日期:2020年9月2日
來源:聯合新聞網
「高雄少女失蹤案」震驚全台,誘拐集團先和被害人成為網友,長期聊天放線,再以提供優渥工作的名義騙得少女見面,趁機監禁。今年七月,台南也有一名賴姓男子假扮女性,透過遊戲 Line 群組認識男女童並提供點數卡、虛擬裝備,取得對方信任後誘騙他們拍攝自慰影像。面對網絡危機,抗拒網路、污名化「情慾自主」並非正解,建立起完善的預防思維,認識各型態的「數位性別暴力」才能避免憾事繼續發生。
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抵制中國強迫勞動,美海關對新疆部分商品祭「暫扣令」
日期:2020年9月15日
來源:關鍵評論
美國海關與邊境保護局14日宣布對部分來自新疆的服飾、棉製品、髮製品與1家安徽企業生產的電腦零件發布暫扣令。美國海關與邊境保護局(CBP)指控這些商品的生產過程中涉嫌強迫勞動生產,侵犯維吾爾族或其他少數族裔人權。CBP代理局長摩根(Mark Morgan)表示,發布的暫扣令是在向國際社會發出明確訊息,指美國不會容忍供應鏈中有非法、不人道與剝削性的強迫勞動行為。

【卡法拉制】卡達廢10年剝削法 世足建設移工終獲解脫
日期:2020年9月2日
來源:上報
卡達勞工及社會事務發展行政部(MADLSA)上月30日大舉革新當地勞工法規,將遭國際撻伐的「卡法拉制(Kafala System)」中剝削勞工權益部分撤銷,使移工能在約聘到期前主動換工作、提高每月最低薪資至1000里亞爾(約港幣2千元),更加以提供基本生活津貼,奠定阿拉伯地區移工僱傭關係改革里程碑。
英國集裝箱案:越南判處4人籌劃非法移民入獄,39名偷渡者去年慘死
日期:2020年9月16日
來源:BBC 中文
去年10月,39名越南人在英國艾塞克斯(Essex)郡被發現死於一輛貨車中。根據越南媒體《VnExpress》,越南政府本月15日針對此案,在越南河靜省進行了為期一天的審判後,四名被告被以「籌劃和中介非法移民」判刑。這四名被告,年齡在24至36歲之間,被判處兩年半至七年半的徒刑。另外有涉案三人被判緩刑。
疫情重創生計1.5億兒童陷入貧困 童工問題恐復燃
日期:2020年9月21日
來源:自由時報
根據聯合國兒童基金會統計,儘管近年童工率下降,但印度仍有約1010萬兒童處於某種形式的奴役狀態。童工遍布印度各種行業,包括磚窯、地毯製造、成衣製造、農業、漁業和採礦業。今年全球經濟受疫情嚴重打擊,聯合國統計,約1.5億兒童因此陷入貧困。印度兒童人權運動家、諾貝爾和平獎得主沙提雅提則擔憂,成千上萬的兒童恐陷入奴隸、童工、童婚和販運的危機中。

觀點:移工安靜不是因為愚笨,而是因為許多人毫無選擇
日期:2020年9月5日
來源:移人Migrants’ Park
Etik來自印尼東爪哇的勿里達。2000年,因家中弟妹眾多,沒錢生活,18歲的Etik在房間裡靜靜燒毀了她的大學獎學金通知書,到首都雅加達市郊的非法職訓中心準備去新加坡工作。這是她的宿命。移民工文學獎得主Etik在《編織宿命》寫一個在職訓中心的移工伊卡逃跑的故事。為什麼想寫?她在文章簡介裡寫道,剝削在移工到目的國家工作之前就已經存在,所以她把它寫下來。
紀錄片:被摘取器官的埃及非法移民:BBC偵查地下產業鏈如何剝削
日期:2020年9月16日
來源:BBC中文
BBC電視時事節目《廣角鏡》的偵查報道團隊在埃及首都開羅發現,當地有黑幫從事活體器官買賣,有人聲稱非法腎臟移植的交易密度達每周20至30項手術。記者發現,願意出賣腎臟的大多為滯留當地的非洲移民和難民,他們希望以此籌集路費,前往歐洲。但有份參與買賣的一名黑幫頭目向BBC記者承認,許多人被摘取器官後遭拖欠報酬,求助無門。
廣播:【女孩悲歌】不由人願的童婚
日期:2020年9月22日
來源:SBS Language
根據聯合國計劃生育協會的數據,在全球,每分鐘就有23名18歲以下的女孩結婚。而隨著新冠大流行持續,疫情帶來的經濟影響,恐令這種情況加劇。在接下來的十年中,預計會有1300萬宗童婚。但與此同時,愈來愈多人攜手對此作出反抗,有些參與者更會使你意外。
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Branches of Hope eNews September 2020

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A newborn was found auctioned online
Date: 31 July 2020
Source: Hong Kong Committee on Children’s Rights
The recent case of a 1-month-old newborn being auctioned online hits hard on the collective conscience of the entire community. This particular case has reflected Hong Kong’s need for a proactive legal and social protection framework which covers hidden and new areas of harm towards children. While there are laws covering child abduction, child pornography and other crimes in Hong Kong, there is no comprehensive anti-trafficking law that covers all forms of trafficking, including child trafficking.
Access the article here.
Read more: 1-month-old baby offered for sale on Carousell at HK$10,000.
Survivors of trafficking will receive health insurance cards free
Date: 3 August 2020
Source: VietnamPlus
“Victims of human trafficking who are uninsured will be granted health insurance cards free of charge. In case they are seriously ill, the cost of medical examination and treatment at the medical facilities will be exercised in line with health insurance regulations.” These proposals are part of a draft decree initiated by Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA), which details the execution of some articles of the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Combat. Deputy Minister of MOLISA said the compiling of the decree was necessary to ensure that human trafficking victims receive comprehensive support and can reintegrate into the community in a sustainable manner.

South Korean authorities encourage men to marry foreign women. But their brides often become victims of abuse
Date: 5 August 2020
Source: CNN
Trinh was 29 years old and her future husband was in his 50s. She only spoke Vietnamese, he spoke Korean. Despite the communication barrier, the union went ahead and she moved to South Korea to be with her husband. Three months after that, she was dead. Trinh is one of the thousands of Vietnamese women to marry South Korean men through matchmakers who set up brides with grooms. Some couples have happy marriages. But many foreign brides who meet men this way have become victims of discrimination, domestic violence and even murder at the hands of their husbands.

India faces lost generation as virus pushes children to work
Date: 10 August 2020
Source: Bloomberg
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing India’s children out of school and into farms and factories to work, worsening a child-labor problem that was already one of the most dire in the world. 16 year old Maheshwari Munkalapally and her 15 year old sister stopped attending lessons when the economy was brought to a halt during the world’s biggest lockdown. Munkalapally’s mother and older sister lost their jobs as housemaids in Hyderabad. The younger girls, who had been living with their grandmother in a nearby village, were forced to become farmhands along with their mother, in order to survive.

How the Kenyan consulate in Lebanon became feared by the women it was meant to help
Date: 28 July 2020
Source: CNN
Gloria, an undocumented migrant worker, is one of seven women who say they were exploited or physically assaulted by Kenya’s Honorary Consul in Lebanon, Sayed Chalouhi, and his assistant Kassem Jaber, both Lebanese nationals. Another domestic worker, Linda, told CNN that Chalouhi suggested she do sex work to save up for her repatriation fees — and that when she instead turned to cleaning his office for money, he refused to pay her…
No pay, no freedom: Brazil struggles to rescue maids from slavery
Date: 13 August 2020
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
Whenever Elisa goes out in her small town in northeastern Brazil, she fears seeing the family she once considered her own. After almost three decades of domestic work with no pay and little freedom, Elisa realized she was a slave and plotted to escape the household where she had lived since the age of seven. The 38-year-old was rescued in 2018 after alerting the authorities and has started to build a new life. But a reminder of her captivity, fear and exploitation is never too far away.
Magnum reviewing archive as concerns raised about images of child sexual exploitation
Date: 14 August 2020
Source: The Guardian
Magnum Photos, one of the world’s most celebrated photographic agencies, is to re-examine the content of its archive of more than 1 million images after accusations it made available photographs that critics said may show the sexual exploitation of minors. Issues were raised by two articles on the Fstoppers photography website, amplified on social media, which accused Magnum of promoting sexually explicit images of children, featuring nudity, and encounters with clients that the website suggested constituted a record of acts of child sexual abuse.
Access the article here.
Read more: Reporting guidelines to protect children.

Opinion: Sustainable funds must work harder to vet their investments
Date: 4 August 2020
Source: Financial Times
It should have been a vindication for the sustainable investment industry. Shares in fast fashion retailer Boohoo lost a third of their value last month after allegations that workers in its UK supply chain were paid £3.50 an hour. Here was the proof that by avoiding companies exposed to environmental, social and governance risks you could also avoid losing money.
Access the article here.
Read more: Sanctions on China’s top cotton supplier weave a tangled web for fashion brands.
Documentary: Japan’s schoolgirl pin-ups
Date: 9 August 2020
Source: Unreported World
These schoolgirls are trying to make it as pop stars, performing in front of audiences who are older and very male. But is it a quirk of Japanese culture or something more sinister? Reporter Marcel Theroux and Director Liam Nolan meet 11-year-old Yune as she broadcasts live from her home to her fans and performs with other idols at live shows. They also meet some of her fans, many of whom are middle-aged men.

Opinion: Garment workers cannot foot the bill for the pandemic
Date: 19 August 2020
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
With shops closing and people staying at home, the pandemic has changed how we shop but also how garment workers live. The order cancellations and lockdowns that followed the pandemic caused workers to be underpaid for their labour, or not be paid at all for months. During this crisis, major high street brands sourcing from Pakistan such as H&M, Primark, Walmart, C&A, and Bestseller have failed to protect their workers. Their billionaire owners have made fortunes from these workers’ low-paid labour, but are now leaving workers in the cold.
Documentary: Italy’s Sikh slaves
Date: 20 August 2020
Source: Aljazeera
The vast agricultural plains of the Agro-Pontino in central Italy is now one of the country’s main areas of food production. Yet it was not always the case. This 100 mile-long stretch of land facing the Tyrrhenian Sea was marshland until a century ago when fascist dictator Benito Mussolini organised a mass migration from northern Italy to drain the swamps and turn them into fertile farmland. But many of those who live there today are not Italian. Mostly Sikhs from Punjab in northern India, they are economic migrants who have come here to work in local farms and send money home to give their families a better life. Some manage to do just that. But for many others, their dreams are crushed.
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初生嬰網上拍賣 索價萬元 帖文指「不想要」 警稱跟進
日期:2020年7月31日
來源:明報
網上流傳截圖,顯示有人疑於網上拍賣平台出售初生嬰兒,並標明「剛出生1個月,未有名」、「不想要,$20000即買(賣)」,事件引起網民關注。有大律師表示,現時香港法例只針對涉及色情及奴隸的人口販賣,未見有專門法例打擊販賣兒童。警方表示留意到相關帖文,正了解事件。

90後女大狀不忍父母出賣孩子當性奴 赴菲律賓做義務律師拯救黑暗中兒童
日期:2020年8月21日
來源:香港經濟日報
20多歲的鄺希彤(Rachel)是一名大律師,她曾參與國際法律會議,從而認識人口販運問題,「(我發現)原來世界上還有奴隸,甚至很多性奴只是小孩子,我很希望能為這些人爭取權益。」她又曾在菲律賓加入了國際公義組織International Justice Mission 當義工,她表示,近年除了妓寨,原來很多小朋友是被父母出賣,例如應戀童癖的客人要求,在網絡上拍攝或直播不雅影片。
粵港聯合打擊人口販運行動 搗跨境人蛇集團拘包括港主腦共104人
日期:2020年8月25日
來源:香港01
本港警方與入境處聯同廣東省公安廳、海警局和珠海市等執法部門,過去兩個月展開代號「箭雲(Dartshower)」打擊跨境販運人口集團行動,並以涉嫌「安排未獲授權進境者前來香港的旅程」和「依靠他人賣淫的收入維生」等罪拘捕集團香港主腦、14名骨幹成員、26名助手及63名非法入境者及黑工,合共104人。警方相信已經瓦解一個活躍於中港兩地的販運人口集團,他們安排人蛇來港賣淫,或到地盤、回收場工作,甚至被黑幫招攬犯案。

【仲介婚姻黑暗面】種族性別雙重歧視 南韓4成外配曾被家暴
日期:2020年8月6日
來源:上報
南韓鼓勵跨國婚姻,有成千上萬的越南女性,透過仲介認識南韓男子而成婚,許多聯姻甚至能申請地方政府補貼。但與此同時,女性外籍配偶被家暴的案例卻層出不窮。報導指出,部分「女性外配」是由於經濟上的考量而與南韓男性結婚,甚至被「強迫結婚」。南韓首爾的移民中心之友的律師律師李振惠說,外籍新娘來韓的主要原因,多數是為了寄錢回家中,而非因自己的個人利益。
貧窮、失學、強迫勞動釀惡性循環 印度面臨「失落的一代」危機
日期:2020年8月11日
來源:蘋果日報
在全球童工問題最嚴重的國家之一印度,武漢肺炎(COVID-19)大流行正迫使更多兒童離開學校、轉入農田和工廠工作,在貧困中掙扎求生,貧窮、失學、強迫勞動種種惡劣情況,可能催生印度「失落的一代」。
女童遭網友逼拍裸照 拉不知情同學自拍不雅照
日期:2020年8月21日
來源:自由時報
新北市一名11歲女童A女遭臉書網友陳男逼迫拍裸照,後因不堪陳男索求無度,轉而拜託學姊B女拍不露臉裸照。A女事後拿著B女的裸照,假裝是自己所拍,傳給陳男以滿足其需求。兩名受害人最後決定報警處理,新北地檢署今依違反兒少性剝削防制條例起訴陳男。檢方指出,A女請學姊拍裸照並傳給陳男行為,也可能干犯兒少性剝削防制條例列明的罪行,案件由新北地院少年法庭調查中。
台遠洋漁船「大旺號」遭控虐待漁工 美下令禁止靠岸、進口漁獲
日期:2020年8月21日
來源:蘋果日報
美聯社報導,美國海關及邊際保護局下令「大旺」遠洋漁船停靠所有美國港口,而這也是川普政府自5月來的第二次抵制台灣遠洋漁業船艦的行動。綠色和平組織日前公布調查報告指出,全球規模僅次於中國的台灣遠洋漁業屢傳虐待漁工事件,包括毆打或苛扣薪資等。為了遏止該類惡行,美國國會2016年時前便授予行政機關更多權限予以抵制。
被騙到英國賣淫 下機當晚呆站街角拉客
日期:2020年7月27日
來源:ETtoday新聞雲
英國一對來自羅馬尼亞的兄弟以提供正當工作機會的名義,將一名20歲同為羅馬尼亞籍的女性騙到英國倫敦賣淫。據了解,兩兄弟逼迫該女子每天至少接客10到15次,只要受害女性稍有不從,便對她拳打腳踢。這名年輕女性一度懷上嫖客的孩子,而兩兄弟為了讓她接客,竟還試圖強迫墮胎。

Magnum 相庫售賣兒童性剝削 照片惹爭議
日期:2020年8月15日
來源:立場新聞
馬格蘭攝影通訊社赫赫有名的攝影記者David Alan Harvey,近日因為他於1989在泰國拍攝未成年性工作者的照片,於網上掀起軒然大波。攝影師及人權組織Rights Exposure 創辦人Robert Godden 指:「他們不是『雛妓 』,兒童不能授權同意成為性工作者,在道德上和許多地方的法律層面上,這些照片都絕不應該被拍下。」
觀點:網路性影像受害者超過 6 成未成年 展翅協會籲陪伴孩子正確使用網路、營造安心訴說的環境
日期:2020年7月28日
來源:Right Plus 多多益善
近期國內外多起誘騙拍攝私密照威脅事件,如南韓 N 號房事件、臺南遊戲點數誘騙兒少裸照等。在與網路密不可分的時代下,性勒索已成為一種不可忽視的新型危機,也是新的性暴力形式。性勒索案件樣態變得更多,受害者的年齡也趨年幼。台灣展翅協會長期協助性剝削及性勒索被害人,認為家長應該多關注孩子使用網路的狀況,並教導孩子勇敢拒絕網友不合理的要求。
+ 全文
+ 閱讀更多:預防孩子掉入誘騙陷阱 專家的六大網路安全提醒

資訊圖表:人口販賣,其實離我們並不遙遠
日期:2020年8月25日
來源:HOKKfabrica
人口販賣是如今世界上僅次於毒品、武器走私的第三大非法貿易。即使如今世界上許多國家都有法律禁止並懲處人口販賣,但是相關部門執法不力、管制寬鬆,加上互聯網和通訊科技發達,人販子有更多渠道接觸、聯絡並運送受害人,最終加劇了人口販賣;氣候變化、戰爭和貧窮令越來越多人流離失所,也讓人販子有機可乘。
STOP. 中文電子報每月出版,旨在向本港打擊販運人口的社區提供最新的新聞和資源。如你有反人口販運的資訊想透過本報發放,請聯絡 NEWS@STOPHK.ORG。本電子報內容並不反映 STOP. 的立場,謝謝您對本組織的支持。STOP. 是 希望枝子有限公司 (BRANCHES OF HOPE) 其中一個項目,旨在對抗人口販運。本組織與其他名稱類同的反人口販運組織並無關連。
THIS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY STOP TRAFFICKING OF PEOPLE (STOP), PROVIDING YOU WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE NEWS, EVENTS AND RESOURCES RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING. FOR DAILY UPDATES, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

Take The Stage for World Day Against Trafficking In Persons 2020
STOP firmly believes that the key to putting a stop to Hong Kong’s “hidden epidemic” of human trafficking, is by listening with humility to the diverse voices in our community, and by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to actively engage in discussion about these issues.
In preparation for this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, STOP invited a group of our volunteers and Jacqueline, our Research and Policy Officer, to take the stage and share with us their thoughts & knowledge about human trafficking, through a series of five articles and a short film (Cantonese).
View the full series here.
Read our feature on the SCMP here.
Why is Hong Kong rewarding employment agencies when the industry is complicit in human trafficking?
Date: 5 July 2020
Source: South China Morning Post
The Hong Kong government recently endorsed a subsidy scheme that will give up to HK$117.28 million (US$15.3 million) to the employment agency industry. While it is true that employment agencies have been severely hit by the pandemic, the scheme does not acknowledge that a large subset of that industry has been criticised for facilitating labour trafficking through debt-based coercion. What should a government do when it is called out for complicity in relation to human trafficking and modern slavery?

Hong Kong textile firm Esquel to keep its Xinjiang factories open despite US sanctions threat over ‘forced labour’ accusations
Date: 13 July 2020
Source: South China Morning Post
Esquel, the Hong Kong textile maker that began operations in Xinjiang in the mid-1990s, was one of six companies singled out for potential sanctions in draft legislation unveiled by US lawmakers in March, accusing it of using forced labour in the Xinjiang region of western China. If passed, the law would tightly restrict imports to the United States from Xinjiang, the toughest response yet to accusations of Beijing’s massive detention of Uygur Muslims and forced labour practices.
Access the article here.
Read more: US seizes ‘forced labour’ Xinjiang hair imports
Filipino children abandoned to internet sex abusers during coronavirus
Date: 7 July 2020
Source: The Fuller Project
The boy is 16 years old, and law enforcement officers believe he’s being sexually exploited by foreigners over the internet – abuse that seems to have been going on for years. He lives in the Philippines, and they know exactly where. They have a pretty clear picture of what his abusers are doing to him, and they are worried about what is likely to happen if they don’t get him out fast. This would normally be the part of the story where a rescue occurs. But the National Bureau of Investigation says it is unable to act.

Malaysia’s Sime Darby accused of forced and child labour by anti-trafficking group
Date: 8 July 2020
Source: SAYS
Liberty Shared, a Hong Kong-based anti-trafficking group, has petitioned the US Customs and Borders Protection concerning alleged conditions of forced labour and child labour at Sime Darby Plantation. “Workers described the imposition of arbitrary penalties, threat of and actual sexual harassment, physical threats and abuse, various and inconsistent deductions in pay, varying conditions of accommodation, and fees charged for basic facilities,” the Liberty Shared managing director said.
Women abducted for marriage, and often raped, in Indonesia – it’s the custom, villagers say
Date: 20 July 2020
Source: South China Morning Post
The island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia has abundant natural charms and ancient cultural traditions. Yet Sumba’s many attractions conceal a sinister practice that has allowed men to uproot women from their families, erase their dreams and ambitions, and force them into marriage. This has been going on for many years on the island of more than 750,000 people, but a recent 29-second video of a young woman desperately crying while she is carried away by five men has captured the attention of Indonesians everywhere.
Sex traffickers left thousands of women to starve during Italy lockdown
Date: 10 July 2020
Source: The Guardian
According to the UN’s International Office for Migration, more than 80% of Nigerian women who arrived in Italy from Libya in recent years were victims of highly organised sex trafficking gangs. The women are forced into prostitution to pay off predatory debts and controlled through violence and fear of “juju” black magic rituals they are made to undergo before their journey to Europe. During the prolonged and strict three-month Covid-19 lockdown in Italy, these women and their children were left alone and cashless to starve by their exploiters.
Access the article here.
Watch more: Nigeria’s sex trafficking curse

German ministers push for supply chain law against exploitation
Date: 15 July 2020
Source: DW
A typical bar of chocolate costs a mere €0.80 at a German supermarket. Many of these sweets, however, are produced using child labour. Two decades ago, the University of Chicago launched a research project looking into how many child labourers are employed on the West African cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast and Ghana. According to the scholars’ latest report, 2.26 million children are currently toiling away in the industry — a tragic new record. Yet few German companies are ensuring basic labour and human rights standards are respected in the supply chain. That’s why two German ministers are now planning a law obliging companies to take responsibility.
Adult used kids to snatch, exploit other children in Mexico
Date: 22 July 2020
Source: The Washington Post
A scandal involving the abduction and exploitation of young children in a colonial Mexican city popular with tourists widened when prosecutors released additional evidence that an adult apparently used other children to help kidnap a missing 2-year-old boy. The search for Dylan Esaú Gómez Pérez led prosecutors to a house in San Cristobal de las Casas where 23 abducted children were being kept at a house in deplorable conditions and forced to sell trinkets and handicrafts in the street. But Dylan, who turns 3 in November, was not among them.

Opinion: Storm clouds on the horizon for U.S. human trafficking rankings
Date: 29 June 2020
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
Each June, the United States releases the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, setting forth each country’s response to forced labor and sex trafficking. Assembled by a dedicated team under the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns, this year’s Report, though it commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the modern anti-trafficking movement, should be read not as a triumphalist document but as a warning of storm clouds on the horizon.
Access the article here.
Read more: STOP’s response to Hong Kong’s downgrade in the 2020 TIP Report.
Opinion: Will Boohoo’s young customers overlook the modern slavery scandal?
Date: 16 July 2020
Source: Retail Gazette
A Sunday Times investigation earlier this month saw the online fashion giant embroiled in controversy over allegations that its Leicester factory was paying garment workers as little as £3.50 an hour. The factory in question was also accused of reportedly “forcing” workers to come into work even while sick with Covid-19. Is the online retail giant’s reputation hanging by a thread or will its young customers continue to shop with it? How can other retailers learn from the damage?
Access the article here.
Read more: Boohoo supplier modern slavery reports – How UK workers are ‘earning as little as £3.50 per hour’
STOP ENEWS, PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH, AIMS TO PROVIDE CURRENT NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES TO THE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. IF YOU HAVE ANTI-TRAFFICKING RELATED ACTIVITIES OR RESOURCES YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THROUGH OUR ENEWS NETWORK, SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO NEWS@STOPHK.ORG. INCLUSION OF CONTENT IN NO WAY REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF OUR ORGANISATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
STOP IS AN INITIATIVE OF BRANCHES OF HOPE BASED IN HONG KONG. IT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY OTHER ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANISATION OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR NAME.

素人力量打擊人口販運
作為世界公民,思考、討論同捍衛人權、為無聲者發聲、關注弱勢社群的福祉,你我有責。STOP 堅信,唯有虛心聆聽社會中不同持分者的聲音、鼓勵大眾積極關注、討論社會公義議題,才能逐步瓦解不公景況、打擊人口販運。
為迎接「世界反人口販運日」,我們推行了Take The Stage/有請系列,邀請十位來自不同範疇和年齡層的素人倡議者分享他/她們對人口販運議題的觀點和知識。有興趣的人士可按此閱覽作品。
美第三輪制裁名單首現港商溢達 共11企被指涉參與新疆強迫勞動
日期:2020年7月22日
來源:明報
中美緊張關係升級,波及本港企業。棉紡織品企業溢達集團位於新疆的昌吉溢達紡織公司,21日被美國商務部以涉及在新疆強迫勞動為由,與另外10間中國企業同列實體黑名單,美國政府將限制技術或產品出口予黑名單企業。這是首次有香港企業捲入新疆的制裁風波。溢達透過官網表示,對事件深感憤慨,重申集團由始至終都不會「強迫勞動」。
+ 全文
+ 閱讀更多:勞工人權團體呼籲品牌服飾 「別用新疆維人強迫勞動鏈原料」

遭控勞動剝削 大馬棕櫚巨頭展開調查
日期:2020年7月8日
來源:中央廣播電臺
總部位於香港的反人口販運組織「自由共享」(Liberty Shared) 月初公開遞交美國海關與邊境保護局的請願書,指在對馬來西亞棕櫚油生產巨擘森那美公司 (Sime Darby) 僱員和公民團體進行訪問,並詳細審視公共揭露資訊、審計報告和永續目標後,發現該公司的種植園存在虐待勞工問題。森那美公司8日表示將對其種植園中強迫勞動和使用童工的相關「嚴重指控」進行調查。在此之前,倡議組織向美國海關請願,要求禁止進口該公司的棕櫚油。
韓國「N號房」事件:如何讓網絡性犯罪受害人走出陰霾
日期:2020年7月18日
來源:BBC 中文
被稱為「博士」的N號房主謀趙主彬,早前被揭經營網絡聊天室性販運年輕女性,受害者中有16人未成年。趙被捕後,各界聚焦在這位疑犯身上;因他而受害的少女,卻孤獨掙扎。韓國社會傾向保守,幾十名受害者走出創傷的路,漫長崎嶇。李孝琳決定幫助她們。她接受BBC訪問時說,「有時候我覺得休息是罪。我睡覺時會有更多性侵影片流出,二度傷害受害者。」
搶新娘:印尼政府誓言要終結的地方習俗
日期:2020年7月21日
來源:BBC 中文
早有婦女和人權團體,長期以來要求印尼禁止搶新娘的習俗。但在印尼偏遠的松巴島上,當地 居民仍延續這個傳統,年輕女子會被男方的家人或朋友強行帶走,強迫結婚。近日網絡流傳兩段婦女被綁架逼迫結婚的視頻,引起人們的憤怒和人權團體的關注。印尼官員誓言要終結此等人權侵害,當地社區領袖也聯署抵制這侵害婦女的行為。

【疫情●專題】封城下馬伕捨棄被迫賣淫偷渡女 意大利數以萬人斷糧自生自滅
日期:2020年7月13日
來源:蘋果日報
聯合國國際移民組織資料顯示,上萬名近年由利比亞抵達意大利的尼日利亞婦女,超過80%是有組織性販運組織的受害者。這些婦女被組織以暴力控制,並要出賣身體償還高達4萬歐元(約35萬港元)債務,而在出發前往歐洲前也被迫接受黑巫術施法恐嚇,確保她們會好好工作不會逃跑。義工、社工和非政府機構表示,意大利政府實施三個月封城期間,人口販賣集團捨棄偷渡婦女及她們的孩子。由於沒錢及沒食物,不少人要到慈善組織乞求米或麵包,有人亦因沒法交租金而被趕出街頭露宿。
23名兒童在墨西哥被綁架獲救 最小的才三個月大
日期:2020年7月23日
來源:NewTalk 新聞
根據《CNN》報導,南墨西哥檢察署於22日救出23名遭綁架的兒童。這些被綁架的兒童年齡介乎三個月大至15歲。犯人把他們從家人身邊誘拐走,並強迫他們勞動、販賣手工藝品,飽受暴力威脅。目前有三名女性已遭墨西哥檢調單位逮捕,她們涉嫌人口販賣與強迫勞動。
可可農場童工困境受疫情影響更險峻 象牙海岸童工比例增加3%
日期:2020年7月25日
來源:食力foodNEXT
全球有60%的可可產量都來自西非國家象牙海岸與迦納,然而當地卻一直存在嚴重的童工奴隸現象,粗估有210萬名兒童在不人道的工作環境中受苦。儘管持續有許多團體或巧克力廠努力以在當地設置健全的「童工監測和補救系統」、增加兒童教育機會等管道嘗試解決,但問題仍難以根絕。更令人難過的是,「國際可可協會」發現,新冠肺炎疫情爆發期間,象牙海岸的童工現象急遽上升,2020年3月17日至5月15日短短2個月,從事勞動工作的兒童比例從16%升至19.4%。
觀點:「港版N號房」的二度傷害 慢必透露童年被性侵:不要嘲笑和責備
日期:2020年6月30日
來源:蘋果日報
近日被揭發的「AB號房」事件,被喻為是「港版N號房」,事件中逾300名男性疑似被性侵,還被主謀威逼利誘下進行性交易,拍攝成人影像。然而令人意外的地方是,在該條新聞底下有許多人留言,不約而同地指出「竟然係男人被性侵?」,似乎覺得男性被性侵,是一件不可思議的事,或最起碼不是生活中尋常可見的案例。這次果籽請來了慢必,立法會議員陳志全,為我們拆解「男性被性侵」的種種迷思。
+ 觀看專訪
+ 閱讀更多:【港版 N 號房】商台節目被斥嘲笑受害人經歷 林海峰等主持公開道歉

報告:全球數百萬女孩遭受童婚、生殖器殘割等有害做法
日期:2020年6月30日
來源:聯合國
聯合國人口基金上月30日發佈的《2020年世界人口狀況》報告指出,每年有數百萬女孩在其家人、朋友和社區充分知情和同意的情況下,遭到了身體和情感上的傷害。該報告主要關注最普遍的三種人權侵害:切割女性生殖器、童婚和極端的重男輕女現象,並揭露了19項傷害女童的有害做法,包括熨燙胸部、貞操測試、疏忽照顧導致童年夭亡等。
報告:英10萬「現代奴隸」遭毒品控制
日期:2020年7月14日
來源:蘋果日報
由「社會公義中心智庫」和反奴隸組織「公義與關懷」合作進行的研究指,英國現有最少10萬名現代奴隸受害者,情況比內政部六年前評估嚴重十倍;當中有些受害者被迫在妓院和洗車場強制勞動,或遭犯罪集團或人口販賣者以酒精和毒品控制,有的則遭到家庭奴役。報告撰寫人指這種地下罪案的實際數字,有可能比報告所列更高,促請首相約翰遜重啟現代奴隸制工作小組遏止問題。
STOP. 中文電子報每月出版,旨在向本港打擊販運人口的社區提供最新的新聞和資源。如你有反人口販運的資訊想透過本報發放,請聯絡 NEWS@STOPHK.ORG。本電子報內容並不反映 STOP. 的立場,謝謝您對本組織的支持。STOP. 是 希望枝子有限公司 (BRANCHES OF HOPE) 其中一個項目,旨在對抗人口販運。本組織與其他名稱類同的反人口販運組織並無關連。