November 2011

Mumbai, India – On Monday, November 22, 2011, the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai issued three strong convictions in two separate cases of commercial sexual exploitation. These cases originated from two rescue operations conducted in the fall of 2010 by the police, with information provided by IJM. During these operations, law enforcement officials rescued five trafficked women from the two brothels.

Additional Sessions Judge Smita Kadu convicted the keeper of one of the brothels of charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – La-aw drives down a dirt road, winding through hilly countryside dotted with villages of varying sizes. Though the road is not drawn on many maps, La-aw knows the route from Chiang Mai into the tiny villages well. She and other IJM Thailand staff make frequent rounds into the rural villages to help families get citizenship.

Around the world, some 12 million are stateless, people who do not have citizenship of any kind. No citizenship means no country claims you. No justice system protects you.

GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA – Late last month, a man was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape and violence, after the survivor of his assault courageously recounted the violent attack in court. The testimony was key to securing the conviction, and it highlighted Pilar's* amazing transformation.

IJM Guatemala's psychologist Miriam Cruz was with Pilar when she delivered her testimony in court. "Pilar spoke so bravely and convincingly that neither the public prosecutor nor the defense asked any questions.