564 Rescued from Slavery at a Massive Brick Kiln

IJM Staff : Mar 9, 2016
God Reports

When officials explained that rescue had arrived, many couldn't believe it was real. One government officer asked the crowd "Who wants to go free?" but he was met with a stunned silence. Slowly, one man raised his hand, then another. Soon dozens of tired hands shot into the air, ready to finally exit into safety.

(India)—In an ongoing rescue operation, Indian police and IJM (International Justice Mission) staff have rescued 564 children, women and men from forced labor slavery at a massive brick kiln. (Photo via IJM)

This is IJM's largest anti-slavery operation ever—and it took place in the exact same, sprawling factory where we helped rescue more than 500 people in 2011.
 
The kiln owner had evaded arrest in that first operation, but today his impunity has ended. Police arrested him and five other accomplices from an organized trafficking network. They are currently in custody and will face charges under India's anti-trafficking laws and Bonded Labour Act.
 
The operation highlights a critical need in the fight against slavery: If criminals remain free, the violence will continue. But if laws are enforced and traffickers go to jail, we can end slavery for good.
 
Stunned by their chance at rescue
 
The rescue operation began with a frantic phone call from an escaped laborer sharing stories of shocking abuse. A team of trained police, government officials and IJM staff entered the brick kiln on Wednesday morning, and they found hundreds of families already toiling under the hot sun.
 
When officials explained that rescue had arrived, many couldn't believe it was real. One government officer asked the crowd "Who wants to go free?" but he was met with a stunned silence. Slowly, one man raised his hand, then another. Soon dozens of tired hands shot into the air, ready to finally exit into safety. (Photo via IJM)
 
As police gathered evidence and arrested the kiln's owners, the families packed up their few belongings—some even running with excitement—and prepared to leave the kiln.
 
Authorities brought them to a prearranged wedding hall to rest, then documented their stories and prepared official Release Certificates to grant their freedom. These certificates dissolve the false debts and other lies that held these families in slavery. In total, 373 received certificates—the most ever in an IJM case. The remainder were...
 
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