Carmen Bascarán Center of Defense of Life and Human Rights — CDVDH/CB

– Contribute to combating human trafficking and slave labor in Maranhão

– Increase the social alert on human trafficking in all of its forms in two towns, Açailândia and Santa Luzia, including settlements in the region.

– Increase social participation and organization in vulnerable communities.

– Preparation of pedagogical materials and announcements on human trafficking and slave labor.

– Institutional visits to schools, associations, churches, community groups, organizations and trade unions.

– Identification of 20 community leaders to serve as multiplicators.

– Training sessions on human trafficking directed at community leaders.

– Meetings with targeted communities.

– Planning meetings for campaigning activities.

– Mobilization events.

According to the organization, of the Brazilian workers facing conditions of slavery, around 20% are from Maranhão. According to the Ministry of Labor and Employment, from 1995 to 2013 more than 43 thousand workers were rescued throughout the country, with Maranhão presenting 7.1% of the total. Thirty-three properties in the state have been included on the list of slave labor. In terms of women trafficking, 45 routes were identified in Maranhão.

Since its founding, in 1996, the CDVDH/CB has developed a strategy in Açailândia and Santa Luzia integrating social intervention that includes prevention of rights violations through the forwarding of information to raise popular awareness; training, mobilization and social organization for the emancipation and exercising of citizenship for the most vulnerable individuals, families and groups. It also applies social and political pressure for the eradication of slave labor and other rights violations.

Pastoral Land Commission; State Commission for the Eradication of Slave Labor; municipal and state councils, including the State Human Rights Council.

Visits were paid to dozens of institutions where their leaders’ awareness was raised about the importance of debate, knowledge and prevention as regards human trafficking. Promotional materials were also distributed. Meetings were held with the communities and their leaders, with days dedicated to community mobilization and training. The organization found that the results exceeded expectations as regards the number of activities and involvement.