Global human trafficking roundup (April 16-18, 2011)

NORTH AMERICA

Pennsylvania: A new legislation cracks down on sex trade in massage parlors. The legislation will require parlors to display license to practice massage from the state Board of Massage Therapy. To be eligible to obtain license, a person needs to either attend a massage school or be able to show a five years of experience.

Nebraska: Experts recognized that victim treatment has been improved for the past two decades In the past, the victims are thrown out on the street after the rescue and were told to get better. But, many people recognize the needs of victim assistance and become part of the healing process. In addition, the U.S. attorney applauded the increasing effort of Omaha law enforcement in cracking down on human trafficking.

ASIA

UAE: Two Chinese women are convicted of trafficking two other women and a man. They forced the victims into performing sexual services and massage at a parlor without getting paid. The victims were also subject to threat and confinement.

India: Police arrested three men and rescued three girls in the age between 15 and 17 from a human trafficking ring during the raid. Police suspected that the children were recruited from poor villages to work at a service sector but were going to be forced into prostitution.

Qatar: A new law to combat human trafficking is awaiting for final approval. The legislation will protect trafficking victims in domestic servitude sectors from their abusive employers. It will prevent employers from physically and emotionally abusing their maids and forcing them into labor at a harsh work environment and failing to pay their wages. If convicted, an employer will face up to 15 years and fines running up to QR300,000 under the new legislation.

The Philippines: The local authority in Cebu urged the immigration office to ensure background check on foreign tourists in an effort to fight against human trafficking. The urge to toughen up the measure came about after the recent human trafficking incidents that victimized women and children. Many women and children are forced into prostitution, pornography, and other sexual exploitation in Cebu.