In this eight-part series, Rageh Omaar uncovers the truth about the flourishing modern slave trade.
In this eight-part series, Rageh Omaar uncovers the truth about the flourishing 21st century slave trade.
Today, 27 million men, women and children are held, sold and trafficked as slaves throughout the world.
From the sex slaves of Eastern Europe to China’s prison labour slaves; from Brazil’s hellish charcoal slave camps to entire families enslaved in Pakistan’s brick kilns, this series exposes the people behind modern slavery and the companies who profit from it.
Weaving the testimony of current and former slaves with investigations into some of the biggest global slave masters, we ask why this age-old evil continues to flourish.
EPISODE ONE – FOOD CHAIN SLAVES It is a nation built on the abolition of slavery, but there are at least 40,000 slaves in the US today. Many of them are trapped in food chain slavery, which is considered one of the easiest forms of slavery to stamp out. Why then is the country that leads the global fight against slavery, unable to address it inside its own borders? Watch this episode.
EPISODE TWO – SEX SLAVES There are an estimated 1.4 million sex slaves in the world today – many of them are trafficked from poor countries to wealthy European cities. This episode airs from Monday, October 17, at 2230 GMT. Click here for more.
EPISODE THREE – BONDED SLAVES It is a form of slavery that is passed down from one generation to the next, enslaving millions in countries such as Pakistan and India. In this episode, Rageh Omaar meets men, women and children labouring in quarries and brick kilns in dangerous conditions and for effectively no pay. This episode airs from Monday, October 24, at 2230GMT. Click here for more.
EPISODE FOUR – CHILD SLAVES There are at least 8.4 million child slaves in the world today. In Haiti, a practice called ‘restavek’ sees the children of poor families forced to work as domestic help for wealthier families. This episode airs from Monday, October 31, at 2230GMT. Click here for more.
EPISODE FIVE – CHARCOAL SLAVES Brazil was once the world’s largest importer of slaves from Africa, but it has taken the lead in fighting 21st century slavery with a raft of innovative laws. Slave labour, however, continues to thrive in the South American country, particularly in the age-old practice of charcoal burning. This episode airs from Monday, November 7, at 2230GMT. Click here for more.
Eight year old bride follows new husband to visit temple after marriage ceremony, with his family, Rajasthan, India
EPISODE SIX – BRIDAL SLAVES India has the world’s highest number of slaves, among them are an increasing number of women and girls sold into marriage for as little as $120 to men who often burden them with strenuous labour and abuse them. This episode airs from Monday, November 14, at 2230GMT. Click here for more.
EPISODE SEVEN – PRISON SLAVES Over the past 20 years China has become the world’s biggest exporter of consumer goods. But behind this apparent success story is a dark secret – millions of men and women locked up in prisons and forced into intensive manual labour. This episode airs from Monday, November 21, at 2230GMT. Click here for more.
EPISODE EIGHT – THE AL JAZEERA SLAVERY DEBATE Rageh Omaar chairs a public debate in which he and a panel of those most closely involved in the issue of 21st century slavery discuss the scandal of a trade that refuses to die. Click here to submit your questions for the panel and to join the debate.
Slavery: A 21st Century Evil can be seen from Monday, October 10, at the following times GMT: Monday: 2230; Tuesday: 0930; Wednesday: 0330; Thursday: 1630.
