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Please get in touch and join our alert and intellegence gathering networks.
In the works now....
Mr. Roger M. Christian
607 - 451 - 8663
The hip hop group was originally contacted by Aldair Brasil, head of the Federal District's Committee to Fight Human
Trafficking, a permanent forum of governmental and non-governmental representatives, including schoolteachers, community leaders,
and even firemen. "We asked them to prepare a video clip for youngsters, particularly in vulnerable areas,"Brasil says. "We
thought it would be much more effective than any seminar or school class. Now we need to spread it throughout the country."
"Don't Traffic" is a low-budget film set in the outskirts of Brasília and in its central area, close important governmental
buildings. According to hip hop artist Costa, this is one way to put pressure on politicians to pass legislation, protect
human rights and prosecute criminals. The film also has a preventive message. It begins with a child, searching for his mother who left home and never
returned. "We wanted to tell youngsters, particularly women, that propositions to become a model or to get a better life in
other Brazilian cities or abroad may actually be a nightmare in disguise," Costa explains. The Federal District's Committee to Fight Human Trafficking has been monitoring cases in the region. The majority
of cases have involved girls between 12 and 17 years old. In almost every case, the process begins with a family member or
close friend. "Traffickers lure victims by giving the family money, paying bills and basic food staples,"Brasil explains.
"These people also make fake identification cards, prepare model portfolios, everything to stimulate that the victim is heading
for real work and, most importantly, an overall life upgrade." Judging from the cases monitored by the Committee, most victims are trafficked to other cities in Brazil or to other
countries, especially Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the United States. Although girls from Brazil's poorer regions, like
the Northeast, also end up being trafficked to the Federal District. In 2006, the Committee was recognized as a public utility organization. This recognition has helped in building a
network with governmental agencies to urge them to include human trafficking in their programmes, provide improved assistance
and protection of victims and conduct proper investigation and prosecution of criminal organisations. In 2008, the government instituted a National Plan to Counter Human Trafficking, which involved governmental, non-governmental
and international organizations, including UNODC. The plan is based on prevention, prosecution and protection of victims.
Ithaca Amnesty International
Tri - Falcon and Dove Productions * 103 West Seneca - Suite 206 A * Ithaca * NY * 14850 |
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