Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Wednesday applauded funding for his bipartisan initiative to end modern slavery that was included in the fiscal year 2016 “omnibus” appropriations bill. The End Modern Slavery Initiative will create a powerful effort in concert with the private sector and foreign governments to help eliminate modern slavery around the globe.
“With this important funding for The End Modern Slavery Initiative, we can begin a vigorous effort to end slavery worldwide, which currently affects more than 27 million people, especially women and children,” said Sen. Corker. “I’ve seen firsthand the terrible conditions and impacts of slavery, and I am proud that we are another step closer to establishing what will be a transformational initiative that will change the lives of many around the world.
“This effort would not be possible if not for the numerous organizations and faith-based institutions that have helped raise awareness about the devastating conditions of slavery and human trafficking that exists in more than 167 countries, including our very own.”
The omnibus appropriations bill includes language providing $25 million for this effort to end modern slavery. The text of the bill was released late Tuesday and will be voted on by the Senate and House of Representatives later this week.
On Feb. 26, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed The End Modern Slavery Initiative Act of 2015, which will charter a 501(c)(3) non-profit grant-making foundation based in Washington, D.C.
Officials said “The End Modern Slavery Initiative Foundation” will fund programs outside the United States that:
· Contribute to the freeing and sustainable recovery of victims of modern slavery, prevent individuals from being enslaved, and enforce laws to punish individual and corporate perpetrators of modern slavery;
· Set out clear, defined goals and outcomes that can be empirically measured; and
· Achieve a measurable 50 percent reduction of modern slavery in targeted populations.
In addition, a number of advocacy groups and faith-based institutions have issued support for the effort including, the Alliance to End Slavery & Trafficking, the END IT Movement, International Justice Mission, United Way Worldwide, Freedom House, Rotary International, and Circle of Friends, Inc., among others.
Click here for more information on The End Modern Slavery Initiative.