Slavery is a heinous act which is known to cause grievous harm to many people. This act is associated with the deprival of rights of human people. Slavery is the act of people owning and controlling others. This act is associated with colonialism and is known to have existed for a long time. Slavery is believed to have started in the 550 B.C. This implies that many people are forced to work for others for little or no pay and harsh conditions. Slaves are at a disadvantage as they are treated as a good since they can be sold to interested people.
However, slavery has been abolished in many countries today although it is evident in other countries. Slavery entails the discrimination of people’s rights, which is against the human right act that provides precise information on the rights of each person. Slavery came up due to religious, political and economic reasons. This was because the whites did not want to fight for jobs and other resources with the others. Slavery is declared to be a thing of the past but is still evident. Slavery is identified to be evolving and is hidden in the economic prospects that are taking place in different countries. There exists a different type of slavery which includes forced labor, bonded labor, child labor and trafficking among others (Archer, 1988).
Like any other free citizen, slaves also fight against the condition that engraves them. Slaves have been associated with resistance, slowing down work, running away and also fighting those who enslaved them. This resistance was held up by those who enslave them and could lead to aspects like brutal beating, severe torture and many cases death were imminent. The effects of slavery have led many citizens to enforce laws which protect the people from facing these challenges.
Human trafficking is one crime that is against the law and one that has evolved in a very fast way. This involves the smuggling of people to different countries, without legal documents and permission, often driven by the emerging economic opportunities. This also includes many who are kidnapped and sold against their will. This act is evident in many countries that include Europe, South Asia and Brazil among other prominent states (Berlin, Favreau,& Miller, 1998.).
This may also include signing of work contracts whereby these people are transported to plantations where they work under critical conditions and are denied the right to leave the plantation. Many people argue that this crime is not slavery but exploitation. However, as per the studies, conducted it is part of slavery. However, this is slavery as it is against the will of the person affected. Many organizations have come against this issue but have not been contained.
The United Nations has come up strongly to oppose the trafficking of persons branding it an inhumane act. This organization says that this act lowers the person’s dignity and total exploitation and degradation of the person. This organization emphasizes that all the stakeholders render their support to help eliminate this vice completely. This vice is accredited with limiting the rights of each citizen and that each organization that should assist those retrieved from trafficking (Walvin, 2006).
Human trafficking is associated with forced prostitution and involuntary labor among others. This is one of the worst acts that have become hard to fight. Children are the recent casualties of this crime and are tortured as they lack the official documents to fight for their rights. Combating this act has been pledged all over the world and a few steps have been communicated. These steps include the education of human trafficking and total awareness of what human trafficking is and what are its consequences. There is also the introduction of the human trafficking act which fights against this act.
There are laws set by the international government to protect the rights of individuals disregarding their race, religion, ethnic background and color. This convention has also passed laws that urge all countries to unite and fight against trafficking. This convention has urged countries to strengthen their relations to ensure they combat trafficking and ensure that they maintain the gender equality ratio. This convention has also agreed to come up with the finest strategies and methods that will curb human trafficking. The convention also urges the media to take action and unearth all the events that leads to trafficking. This convention also urged states to be careful at their border points to ensure that they catch those entering illegally. This convention also urged states to ensure that citizens have full documents while travelling in and out of the country.
Forced labor is a form of slavery which entails the illegal recruitment of people by organizations, political parties and maybe the government and is forced to work against their will with proposed threats and punishment. This involves people living in harsh conditions, torture and working with minimal pay. This entails also those people lacking proper equipment, lack of rest and proper clothing (Lovejoy, 1983).
Forced labor is associated with the other elements of slavery. Human trafficking and bonded labor are undertaken for the aspect of forcing others to work. Human trafficking is undertaken with the motive of forced labor. Those associated with this aspect are made to work in farms, plantations, manufacturing and prostitution amidst others. Researchers conducted studies which indicate that about 20.9 million people are engraved in forced labor. The most affected sector was the private sector which has about 18.7 million people enslaved in forced labor. Women are the most affected as they entail about 11.4 million people working as forced labor in sexual exploitation and labor exploitation.
This act is a shocking problem as it is identified that about 10% of the cases that are reported are associated with the state. Those affected have been confirmed to be from most of the marginalized and minority people in the world. The various causes of forced labor are poverty, migration and discrimination. The eradication of poverty leads to forced labor as many try to fight this aspect enhancing to forced labor. This happens because these people lack better jobs that will pay better ending up working for no pay in these farms, plantations or companies.
Discrimination is a cause of forced labor as various people are discriminated due to their religion or ethnic group. This happens because of the vulnerability of the people. The ability to resist is not eminent in them leading to forced labor. Those who are migrants to other countries are the target of forced labor by organizations. There lacks proper administrative rules which fights against this vice (Blake, 1999).
International measures against these inhumane acts are in place. This convention has also passed laws that urge all countries to unite and fight against trafficking. This convention has urged countries to strengthen their relations to ensure they combat trafficking and ensure that they maintain the gender equality ratio. This convention has also agreed to come up with the finest strategies and methods that will curb human trafficking. This convention has argued that trafficking is the main cause for forced labor. This convention has agreed that workers have their rights and they should be placed in the best working conditions.
Bonded labor is one form of slavery which is not very evident to many people, but one which is commonly used to enslave other citizens. Bonded labor is also referred to as debt slavery as a person works for another to repay the debt they owe. Bonded labor occurs when a person lends a loan whose interest rate is higher than what the loaned can afford and when a person accepts to work as a way of paying the debt. This leads to the loaned working for the loaner in conditions that are torturous. This also leads to the person working to ensure that their work will stand for the loan offered (Simon, 1999).
This form of slavery is one that dates back years ago and which is common in countries like South Asia. This type of slavery is eminent and recorded to flourish in the agricultural sector, factories and industries. This method of slavery was used to trap people to work in large plantations, farms and industries in the Caribbean and African continents. These workers are under tight watch and are forced to work for only one employer.
Poverty is an aspect that forces many people to stay in these conditions as the need for finances is important in every person’s life. Lack of land and education leads people to stay confined in this condition to ensure their survival. This slavery is accredited with harsh conditions which are unfavorable and depreciating. Bonded labor has an effect on the financial aspect of a family as the severe conditions limits those affected from retrieving themselves from that mess (Horton & Horton,2005).
International measures have been put in place to ensure that children are protected from this slavery. The international convention has agreed that any child below the age of eighteen should be protected from any bonded labor. The convention saw it best that parents be subjected to education to sharpen them so that they can help combat this vice. The measures put in place include the advocacy of gradual elimination of this vice from the society by government and non-government bodies.The convention saw it best that it come up with a lasting solution to poverty. The convention also agreed that punitive measures regarding this vice be set to curb this vice.
Another aspect of slavery that has taken root in many African states is the early marriages. This includes many girls being forced to marriages. This marriage is against the human right and is done towards girls of below 18 years. This slavery has affected many girls as they are forced to be married against their will by their parents. This slavery has been a custom in many generations. Forced marriages are done without the full consent of the girl. This act of slavery has been branded as the cover up for legalized prostitution. This aspect is against the human rights and leads to the deprival of education to the girl child (Drencher, 2009.).
This issue has sparkled different comments among states and organizations. Many girls are entitled to these issues for sexual exploitation. Studies reveal that those faced by this situation are affected physically and emotionally. The spread of HIV/Aids is imminent from this issue and also another factor that leads to poverty. This aspect is an indicator that has led to the discrimination of rights of the girl child. The economic times play a part in the growth of this form of slavery. This issue of slavery has led to the health status of the affected girl child.
The United Nation organization has come a long way to end this heinous act. This organization has set laws including the human right article 16(1) which states that incase of any marriage both parties should be of sound mind and have full consent of this act. It states that it should be free and fair. This organization has also stated that educating the masses about the dangers of this slavery. This education involves the education of violation of rights and their consequences.
International measures have been put in place to ensure that children are protected from this slavery. The international convention has agreed that any child below the age of eighteen should be protected from any early marriages. This convention passed legislative laws that command parents to subject their children to events that are free and fair and which the parties involved understand fully well. The convention saw it best that parents be subjected to education to sharpen them so that they can help combat this vice. The measures put in place include the advocacy of gradual elimination of this vice from the society by government and non-government bodies.
Child labor is another eminent problem of slavery. Child labor entails more work to a child with harsh conditions. Work is identified as an issue that help shape the responsibility aspect of a child but it has been turned to an oppression center. Studies conducted have shown that about 215 million children are victims of this slavery. These studies also reveal that about 10% of these children are engraved in trafficking, sex labor among others. Child labor is also intertwined in child work as many work in domestic places. This has led to the deprival of education and social amenities to the children (Rodriguez, 1997).
International measures have been put in place to ensure that children are protected from this slavery. The international convention has agreed that any child below the age of eighteen should be protected from any forced labor. The convention saw it best that parents be subjected to education to sharpen them so that they can help combat this vice. The measures put in place include the advocacy of gradual elimination of this vice from the society by government and non-government bodies.
Conclusion
The definition of slavery is explained in different aspect and views. This act remains one of the largest crimes that have evolved and one that has remained eminent in the society. Those meaning, however, do not make any difference as the person’s rights have been violated. This act can only be reduced by taking corrective measures to combat the vice. This act remains an act that has become a very obvious crime but which many have fear to fight against. Various laws are passed to reduce this crime from the society.
The economic prospects of this slavery indicate that there are few elements that benefit from this trade. Criminalization of those involved does not affect or cut short this vice but among other elements, public awareness should be emphasized by all states and organizations. Tough laws that limit human trafficking should be enacted to enhance that reforms are eminent in this sector.