Ending Abusive Systems by Providing Legal Aid
Many are surprised to hear of the appalling conditions that constitute modern day slavery. In the brickyards of Asia and the Middle East, workers and their families are trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty with no hope of escape. Further, these circumstances expose workers to other crimes such as human trafficking and sexual violence.
Many argue that the treatment these workers endure is in violation of their basic human rights. Worse still, in some places, the conditions of contemporary slavery are a direct violation of the worker’s legal rights. This is why it’s imperative to connect these people with legal experts, who can fight for their legal and universal human rights.
As we do our work toward ending brickyard slavery, we are faced with many challenges and obstacles that arise. We encounter illness, lack of nutrition, human trafficking, abuse, religious persecution, kidnapping, and many other problems that require an immediate response. Part of our mission is not only to create an end to the systems that keep people enslaved, but also to provide legal aid to those in need. We not only care for their future, we care for their present.
Many argue that the treatment these workers endure is in violation of their basic human rights. Worse still, in some places, the conditions of contemporary slavery are a direct violation of the worker’s legal rights. This is why it’s imperative to connect these people with legal experts, who can fight for their legal and universal human rights.
As we do our work toward ending brickyard slavery, we are faced with many challenges and obstacles that arise. We encounter illness, lack of nutrition, human trafficking, abuse, religious persecution, kidnapping, and many other problems that require an immediate response. Part of our mission is not only to create an end to the systems that keep people enslaved, but also to provide legal aid to those in need. We not only care for their future, we care for their present.
High areas of need
- Human Trafficking
- Violence
- Religious Persecution
- Child Marriage
- Sexual Abuse
- Malnutrition
- Kidnapping
|
Mehak's storyMehak is 14 years old. She is part of a family with 3 sisters and parents who work in the brick kilns as indentured servants in Faisalabad. In 2019, the unspeakable happened, a fear that so many of our friends in the brick kilns with daughters face as a very real and imminent threat: she was kidnapped by a family “friend” and forced to convert to Islam and marry a 47 year old man.
Her mother, not giving up, filed the kidnapping with the police who did not respond to her, favoring the kidnappers (and their money) over their “brickling” daughter. In February 2020, Mehak’s unrelenting mother contacted All People Free and asked for legal help to recover Mehak. We were able to get the case registered with the police and put pressure on for action, at which time they raided the home where Mehak was being held captive, finding her in chains and two months pregnant. Mehak was able to stand before the local magistrate and make the statement that she was being held illegally, against her will, and that she wished to be returned to her parents home. Mehak is currently living with her family and expecting her baby at the beginning of October. While this is very good news, the threat is not completely eradicated as her kidnapper is still threatening to get her back by any means possible. |