Royal arrest signals historic moment
By Ellie Finkelstein, Freedom United
| February 22nd, 2026 News Digest |
| OUR CAMPAIGN ISSUES IN THE NEWS |
| Human trafficking Royal arrest spotlights power in human trafficking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly the Duke of York, is arrested on allegations he shared confidential material with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Experts say cases involving powerful figures test institutional accountability in human trafficking, and influence whether survivors feel safe reporting abuse. |
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| Human trafficking New report exposes trafficking of children with disabilities for forced begging Children with disabilities are being trafficked for forced begging, according to a new report documenting cases in Ethiopian cities. Researchers find some children are deliberately injured or handed to traffickers, and warn that stronger protections are needed as people with disabilities remain largely overlooked in anti-trafficking efforts. |
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| Forced labor Migrants in Libya victims of “violent business model” of exploitation and abuse, UN reports A new UN report finds migrants in Libya face torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and repeated resale within a system where exploitation functions as a business model. Experts urge governments to halt returns to Libya and strengthen search and rescue efforts, warning detention sites operate as hubs of trafficking and abuse. Show more… |
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| Law & policy “A callous lack of care”: Critics slam UK government’s refusal to reform migrant worker visa scheme |
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While you pay more for chocolate, and millions of cocoa farmers in West Africa remain trapped in extreme poverty, Mondelēz returned $4.9 billion to shareholders.
When families are paid so little, they are forced into impossible decisions: send children to school or rely on their labor to survive. Protect forests or clear more land to grow enough cocoa to make ends meet. Accept dangerous, exploitative work because there are no other options.
Mondelēz knows exactly how serious the crisis is, but instead of rooting out exploitation from their supply chain, they’ve chosen to double down on sales strategy.
This isn’t about a lack of resources to pay farmers living wages. It’s about a lack of will. It’s about greed. If that doesn’t sit right with you, take action now.
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 | Ellie Finkelstein Freedom United |
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