Global human trafficking roundup (August 5, 2010)

NORTH AMERICA

California: The CEO of Craigslist responds back to CNN report. He argues that Craigslist is vigilant in preventing child sex ads on its website. He also argues that Craigslist has done its best to incorporate suggestions given by the advocates to fight against child exploitation. 

Louisiana: An attorney is charging a class action suit on behalf of Filipino teachers against employment agencies. They were recruited to teach in Louisiana schools, but were thrust into massive debt, unsavory living conditions, and in effect, indentured servitudes. The teachers also had to pay exorbitant amount of application fees, transportation cost, housing costs, and demanded 30% of their salaries to the agencies. 

Oregon: A TV show highlights human trafficking and child prostitution in Portland. Due to its its location on the Interstate 5 Corridor, Portland provides fertile ground for those who make money off of exploiting children. 

Alaska: Nonprofits and police reach out women who are prostituted on the street. According to the report, many run away children are victimized by the prostitution. And chronic runaways, in particular, were prostituted at one point. 

Georgia: Massage parlor law becomes effective today in Macon. The new legislation allows law enforcement not only to go after the employees but also the owners and operators of the businesses that hire unlicensed masseuses. Prior to the enactment, only the employees were punished for offenses like prostitution massage parlors. 

EUROPE

UK:  Nonprofits say that the government is failing trafficking victims. Though the government argues that the country has amply measures to assist victims, the nonprofits criticized the government's decision not to adopt EU directive to provide better programs and assistance for the victims. 

ASIA

Tajikistan: A politician is cleared of human trafficking charges. He was accused of buying a 16 year old girl from a family for $500 and sold her to Russia. However, the girl's sister testified that the politician helped her start a new life in Russia, and he was trying to do the same with her 16 year old sister. 

China: Police rescued 22 women and children trafficked by a human trafficking ring. Police also arrested seven people who were part of the trafficking ring operated since 1989. 

Malaysia:  Immigration authority argues that human trafficking victims should be placed separately from other immigration detainees. He also argued that the immigration authorities are not trained to deal with human trafficking victims. The authority also highlighted that trafficked victims are treated as victims not offenders. 

Yemen: UN refugee agency says that Yemeni government made only a little progress in fighting against human trafficking. Over the past years, it not only failed to prosecute traffickers but also provide proper assistance to the victims.