Free the Slaves

Free the Slaves is a nonprofit organization founded by Kevin Bales and Pierre Klein in 2000, with the goal of eradicating slavery and human trafficking worldwide, as recognized by the United Nations and supported by Amnesty International and the International Labor Organization. The organization works to liberate slaves and change the conditions that allow slavery to exist, in collaboration with Anti-Slavery International and the International Justice Mission. Free the Slaves has worked in several countries, including India, Nepal, Ghana, and Haiti, to combat modern slavery and support survivors of slavery, often in partnership with UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The organization's efforts have been recognized by Nobel Peace Prize laureates, such as Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, who have spoken out against child slavery and forced labor.

● History of

Free the Slaves The history of Free the Slaves is closely tied to the work of its founders, Kevin Bales and Pierre Klein, who were inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. The organization was established in 2000, with the support of Human Rights Watch and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to address the issue of modern slavery, which affects millions of people worldwide, including those in China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Free the Slaves has worked with governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations to develop and implement effective strategies to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking, often in collaboration with USAID and the European Union. The organization has also partnered with influential individuals, such as Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, to raise awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery.

● Mission and Objectives

The mission of Free the Slaves is to liberate slaves and change the conditions that allow slavery to exist, in accordance with the Palermo Protocol and the Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The organization's objectives include supporting frontline organizations that work to free slaves and provide rehabilitation services to survivors of slavery, such as CARE and the International Rescue Committee. Free the Slaves also works to strengthen laws and policies to prevent slavery and protect victims of trafficking, in collaboration with parliaments and judiciaries in countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The organization's efforts are guided by the principles of human rights, dignity, and justice, as enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

● Programs and Initiatives

Free the Slaves has implemented several programs and initiatives to achieve its mission, including the Community Liberation Initiative, which supports community-based organizations to liberate slaves and provide rehabilitation services to survivors of slavery. The organization has also established the Freedom Fund, which provides grants and technical assistance to frontline organizations working to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking, in partnership with Ford Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Free the Slaves has also launched the Slavery-Free Communities initiative, which aims to create slavery-free communities in countries such as India, Nepal, and Ghana, with the support of UNDP and the World Bank. The organization has also developed research and policy initiatives to inform policymakers and practitioners about effective strategies to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking, in collaboration with Harvard University and the London School of Economics.

● Impact and Achievements

Free the Slaves has made significant progress in its efforts to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking, with thousands of slaves liberated and rehabilitation services provided to survivors of slavery. The organization's work has been recognized by governments, NGOs, and influential individuals, such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, who have spoken out against modern slavery and human trafficking. Free the Slaves has also contributed to the development of laws and policies to prevent slavery and protect victims of trafficking, such as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in the United States and the Modern Slavery Act in the United Kingdom. The organization's efforts have been supported by donors, such as Google and Microsoft, which have provided funding and technical assistance to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking.

● Partnerships and Collaborations

Free the Slaves has partnered with numerous organizations and influential individuals to achieve its mission, including Anti-Slavery International, International Justice Mission, and UNICEF. The organization has also collaborated with governments, such as the United States Department of State and the European Commission, to develop and implement effective strategies to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking. Free the Slaves has also worked with community-based organizations and frontline organizations to provide rehabilitation services to survivors of slavery and support community-based initiatives to prevent slavery, in partnership with Oxfam and the Save the Children. The organization's partnerships have been recognized by awards, such as the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship and the Clinton Global Citizen Award, which have honored the organization's efforts to combat modern slavery and support victims of trafficking.

● Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its progress, Free the Slaves has faced criticisms and challenges in its efforts to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking. Some have criticized the organization's approach, arguing that it is too focused on liberation and not enough on prevention and rehabilitation, as noted by Amnesty International and the Human Rights Council. Others have raised concerns about the organization's funding and governance, as reported by The New York Times and The Guardian. Free the Slaves has also faced challenges in its work, including resistance from governments and communities that are complicit in slavery, as well as limited resources and capacity to address the scale and complexity of modern slavery. Despite these challenges, the organization remains committed to its mission and continues to work with partners and stakeholders to combat slavery and support victims of trafficking, in collaboration with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.