Critical Conviction In Manila: Former Police Officer Sentenced To Life In Prison For Trafficking

MANILA, the Philippines – On September 29, 2009, two child sex traffickers were sentenced to life imprisonment by a regional court for their crimes. This critical prosecution is all the more significant because one of the two perpetrators is the first Philippine police officer to be charged with a trafficking offense. Former police officer Dennis A. Reci and associate Felicano Manansala faced charges of qualified human trafficking, the gravest offense under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

While working as a police officer, Reci had owned and operated a bar which he and Manansala utilized as a front for child prostitution. Undercover operatives of International Justice Mission Manila discovered the operation in May 2005, reported it to the Philippine National Police and assisted throughout the subsequent weeks of investigation.

IJM Manila’s perseverance paid off with Reci and Manansala’s arrest on May 31, 2005. Two minors were rescued from the brothel and placed in aftercare facilities. … Continue Reading

Twelve Victims of Trafficking Rescued From Brutal Cambodian Brothel

SIEM REAP, Cambodia – For months, rumors had swirled that young girls were being sold for sex in a karaoke bar tucked in the bend of a dirt road in Siem Reap. IJM investigators had been building up a case, but needed critical evidence to prove that minors were being made available to customers.

This September, the team got the lead they needed when an unexpected source came forth with incriminating information. An informant revealed that young girls were held at the bar, but brought out only for special customers. IJM investigators devised a plan to confirm the information and contacted the local branch of the Cambodian Anti-Human Trafficking Police (AHTP). The investigators made several visits to the bar between October 2 and 4, posing as customers to gain access to the youngest girls and secure evidence of their age and circumstances. Using this information, the AHTP prepared reports for the local prosecutor who then issued warrants for the perpetrators’ arrest. … Continue Reading

“When these little girls walked into the courtroom, they did so with more support than their oppressor ever imagined they might have.”

By Kaign Christy, IJM Director of Operations, Southeast Asia

Two years ago, I came to IJM’s D.C. headquarters to become director of operations for our Southeast Asia field offices after three years as IJM’s field office director in Cambodia. When I return to the field, I am always struck with the sheer magnitude of the obstacles our teams face in bringing relief to victims. Their determination to overcome these obstacles inspires me more than anything. But, I am equally struck by the fact that there are things that we at IJM just could not do without the help of our friends and partners.

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A Network of Strength

Epicurus said, “It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.” IJM has many friends who we can with confidence ask for help knowing that they will readily join us in the struggle for justice for the clients that we serve. Nothing illustrates that for me more than the help we have received in bringing Malcolm Phillips* to justice.

Phillips, a retired U.S. Marine captain, worked as a civilian university professor in Phnom Penh. He hired a prostitute to serve as his broker; she procured young girls from their families, and Phillips kept the children at his home, where he subjected them to brutal and violent sexual abuse. Phillips may have believed that his connections – from his own position of power to the woman he employed to traffic his victims – would enable him to act with impunity. But what Phillips did not know was that his seemingly powerless victims had an incredible network of support – a network that begins with you, the friends who sent IJM’s investigators into the field through your financial partnership and prayer. … Continue Reading

Conviction Secured in Uganda Land Seizure Case

Tuesday, 06 October 2009

KAMPALA, Uganda – On September 3, 2009, Ugandan widow Joyce was vindicated in court, as the two perpetrators responsible for illegally seizing her home and property from her in the aftermath of her husband’s death were found guilty of their crimes.

Widowed in 2000, Joyce cared for her and her late husband’s four daughters alone, but was able to provide for the family with the home and assets they had shared. But Joyce became a victim of property grabbing when an acquaintance of her late husband named Maaka John offered to take over the administration of her home and property. She trusted him, and assented when he convinced Joyce to process her late husband’s pension and set up a joint bank account with him. Soon, Joyce discovered that her account had been drained without her knowledge. Maaka also sold a structure on her property, a truck he stole from her and the sugar crop she had grown, giving her only a pittance.

When Joyce asked for the title to her home back, Maaka slapped her in the face and attempted to evict her from her own home. He then left the country with the profits he had illegally gained from Joyce’s property, leaving the title deed in the control of an accomplice.

International Justice Mission accepted Joyce as a client after Maaka’s assault, assigning her a lawyer and investigating the facts of her case. Maaka was eventually traced to Iraq. Upon his return to Uganda, IJM investigators supported the local police to secure his arrest and the arrest of his accomplice. IJM’s legal team worked alongside the Kira Court Resident State Attorney to prosecute the two perpetrators to ensure justice for Joyce.

In court, the two perpetrators pled guilty to the charges against them. Maaka is also required to provide financial compensation to Joyce for the theft he committed. Joyce is overjoyed at the outcome of her case and grateful to see the public justice system work on her behalf to enforce her rights as a Ugandan citizen. IJM aftercare will continue to support her as she rebuilds her life.Conviction Secured in Uganda Land Seizure Case

India: IJM Hosts Innovative Training For Prosecutors Combating Forced Labor Crimes

Monday, 21 September 2009

CHENNAI, INDIA – In most of its cases on behalf of victims of forced labor slavery, IJM works with public prosecutors to bring slave owners to justice. But in and around Chennai, India, IJM’s staff discovered a recurring problem: Most of these prosecutors – those with the responsibility to pursue convictions in forced labor cases – lacked a basic knowledge of forced labor law and prosecution methods, and many did not understand the brutal nature these crimes.

To overcome this obstacle and ensure that perpetrators of this form of modern-day slavery are held accountable in court, IJM designed a new training to equip prosecutors with the skills to provide excellent representation for victims of forced labor in the region.

IJM approached the Tamil Nadu Director of Prosecution and requested permission to train his prosecutors on relevant laws. Not only did this Director allow IJM to conduct the training, he personally sent letters to the prosecution departments making the training mandatory for public prosecutors in the region.

As a result of this leadership, last month, 90 public prosecutors gathered for IJM’s forced labor legal training. IJM advocates ran in-depth sessions on forced/bonded labor law and procedure. IJM also conducted additional sessions on the powers of executive and judicial magistrates and the significance of prosecutors in the battle to eradicate this form of violent abuse in India.

After the training, one of the prosecutors approached IJM to express his excitement about offering future trainings to educate others on the law, explaining, “In [my district], bonded labor…and child labor problems are existing. We have to enlighten the police department and labor department to eradicate the menace….We have to conduct a [training] to enlighten those people and to create awareness.”

Trainings are an integral element of IJM’s structural transformation programs worldwide – from equipping clergy to advocate for the property rights of widows in their communities in Africa, to training specialized anti-trafficking police teams on best practices for victim rescue and fair treatment of suspected perpetrators in Southeast Asia. Learn more about a recent IJM police training in Cambodia.