Eleven Indian citizens were rescued from a scam center in Myanmar, with local authorities and the Indian embassy facilitating their release. Meanwhile, Italian police freed 33 Indian farm laborers from exploitative working conditions, exposing a labor trafficking ring that promised better futures but delivered slave-like conditions.
This week’s global news is dominated by a shocking assassination attempt on Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s continued verbal gaffes, escalating tensions in the Israel-Hamas war, and a horrific human trafficking case in Texas with Indian connections. We also examine Rishi Sunak’s potential move to California, cyberbullying in Malaysia, and Barcelona’s anti-tourism protests.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has expressed support for the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act, a new bill that would mandate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a certification program for businesses that train their employees on recognizing and responding to suspected human trafficking. The bill would provide important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initiatives.
Kenya Airways and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Kenya have joined forces to fight human trafficking and protect migrant rights. The partnership will leverage training, policy advocacy, and information sharing to ensure safer migration pathways.
The AHLA Foundation will host its third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit on July 30th, 2024, aligning with the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This summit will feature the awarding of $1 million in grants to community-based organizations supporting human trafficking survivors, showcasing the impact of the NRFT Survivor Fund.
Wahida Begum and her son, Faiz Khan, were victims of human trafficking and were released from a Pakistani prison after completing their sentence for illegally entering the country. They were handed over to Indian forces at the Wagah border on Wednesday.
A flight attendant reveals the real reason behind the warm welcome passengers receive on board. It’s not just about being polite, but also about assessing if passengers are fit to fly, physically able to assist in an emergency, and potentially victims of human trafficking.
Sixty Indian nationals who were rescued from fraudulent employers in Cambodia have returned home. The Indian embassy in Cambodia worked with Cambodian authorities to facilitate the return. The development follows reports of over 300 Indians being arrested in Cambodia for alleged involvement in cybercrimes and ponzi scams. The Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner said that many victims were trafficked to Cambodia through agents under the guise of data entry jobs in Singapore.
The ‘Rwanda Asylum Plan’ has been implemented in the UK, which involves relocating illegal immigrants to Rwanda for processing, asylum, and resettlement. This plan aims to deter illegal migration and human trafficking. Asylum seekers from war-torn countries like Afghanistan are now at risk of being deported to Rwanda, a country with a questionable human rights record.
Following a year-long investigation, three Calgary massage parlours and two homes have been identified as being used for illegal activities, including human trafficking. The investigation, conducted by ALERT (Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams), the Calgary police and the RCMP, resulted in the arrest of 48-year-old Hai (Anna) Yan Ye, who has been charged with advertising sexual services, drug offences and firearms offences. Warrants were obtained and searches carried out on three commercial properties and two homes: Seagull Massage at 1034 8 Ave. S.W., 128 Massage at 1935 37 St. S.W., The One Massage Centre at 1919 31 St. S.E., the 1100 block of Hidden Valley Drive, and the 3100 block of 12 Ave. S.W. During the searches, investigators seized $15,000 in suspected proceeds of crime, a shotgun with ammunition and drugs. Four suspected victims, believed to be immigrants who were exploited into the sex trade, were identified and provided with help.
