End Chocolate Slavery in Ivorian Cocoa Fields
HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CHOCOLATE REALLY COST?
Approximately 284,000 children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old are kidnapped and trafficked into C'ote d'Ivoire to pick cocoa beans for the world's major chocolate manufacturers. A young boy from neighboring Mali who says he was lured to a cocoa farm in Ivory Coast, describes his plight: "I tried to run away but I was caught ... as punishment they cut my feet with razor blades and I had to work barefoot for weeks while my wounds healed."
The children are overworked, as they endure punishing hours from dawn to dusk. They are ill fed; usually corn paste is their only meal. During the day the children use dangerous tools and are frequently exposed to dangerous pesticides. When the day is over, the children are locked up to prevent any escape. The slaves are usually too scared to runaway, as they fear the consequences. Those attempting to escape were usually caught, tied up and viscously whipped as an example to others. The beatings continued, twice a day, for several days. Many don't survive. Those that did survive were sent back to work as soon as they could walk. They had to rely on the maggots feeding on their flesh to clean their wounds to save them from gangrene.
This petition is to end the child slavery taking place in West Africa to supply the major chocolate manufacturers (Hersheys, M&M/Mars, Nestle). End Chocolate Slavery is asking that Congress do the following:
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consumers that they are buying SLAVERY-FREE chocolate and cocoa products.
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consummers that the the farmers who supplied the cocoa were paid fair market value for their crops (FAIR-TRADE cocoa).This is the best hope to boost the economy of Cote d'Ivoire and reduce the instances of child slavery. This mandate will hopefully provide motivation for large manufacturers like Hershey's M&M/Mars, Nestle and other major chocolate manufacturers pay fair market value for their cocoa, helping to stimulate the economies of impoverished countries.
Add cocoa and cocoa products to the list of banned slavery-produced items on Clinton's 1999 Executive Order No. 13126.
Thank you for taking the time to view and sign this petition. With your help, we can spread the word about the horrors of what is happening in West Africa, and put a stop to this slavery. The term "guilty pleasure" should only refer to adding inches to our waistlines, not subtracting years from a child's life.
Thank You,
Andrea Danihel, Founder
End Chocolate Slavery
A Non-Profit Organization
HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CHOCOLATE REALLY COST?
Approximately 284,000 children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old are kidnapped and trafficked into C'ote d'Ivoire to pick cocoa beans for the world's major chocolate manufacturers. A young boy from neighboring Mali who says he was lured to a cocoa farm in Ivory Coast, describes his plight: "I tried to run away but I was caught ... as punishment they cut my feet with razor blades and I had to work barefoot for weeks while my wounds healed."
The children are overworked, as they endure punishing hours from dawn to dusk. They are ill fed; usually corn paste is their only meal. During the day the children use dangerous tools and are frequently exposed to dangerous pesticides. When the day is over, the children are locked up to prevent any escape. The slaves are usually too scared to runaway, as they fear the consequences. Those attempting to escape were usually caught, tied up and viscously whipped as an example to others. The beatings continued, twice a day, for several days. Many don't survive. Those that did survive were sent back to work as soon as they could walk. They had to rely on the maggots feeding on their flesh to clean their wounds to save them from gangrene.
This petition is to end the child slavery taking place in West Africa to supply the major chocolate manufacturers (Hersheys, M&M/Mars, Nestle). End Chocolate Slavery is asking that Congress do the following:
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consumers that they are buying SLAVERY-FREE chocolate and cocoa products.
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consummers that the the farmers who supplied the cocoa were paid fair market value for their crops (FAIR-TRADE cocoa).This is the best hope to boost the economy of Cote d'Ivoire and reduce the instances of child slavery. This mandate will hopefully provide motivation for large manufacturers like Hershey's M&M/Mars, Nestle and other major chocolate manufacturers pay fair market value for their cocoa, helping to stimulate the economies of impoverished countries.
Add cocoa and cocoa products to the list of banned slavery-produced items on Clinton's 1999 Executive Order No. 13126.
Thank you for taking the time to view and sign this petition. With your help, we can spread the word about the horrors of what is happening in West Africa, and put a stop to this slavery. The term "guilty pleasure" should only refer to adding inches to our waistlines, not subtracting years from a child's life.
Thank You,
Andrea Danihel, Founder
End Chocolate Slavery
A Non-Profit Organization
-
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consumers that they are buying slavery-free and fair-trade chocolate and cocoa products.
-
Draft legislation making a mandatory labeling system assuring consummers that the the farmers who supplied the cocoa were paid fair market value for their crops (Fair-trade cocoa).This is the best hope to boost the economy of C%uFFFDte d'Ivoire and reduce the instances of child slavery. This mandate will hopefully provide motivation for large manufacturers like Hershey's M&M/Mars, Nestl%uFFFD and other major chocolate manufacturers pay fair market value for their cocoa, helping to stimulate the economies of impoverished countries.
-
Add cocoa and cocoa products to the list of banned slavery-produced items on Clinton's Executive Order No. 13126.
Thank you for taking the time to view and sign this petition. With your help, we can spread the word about the horrors of what is happening in West Africa, and put a stop to this slavery. The term "guilty pleasure" should only refer to adding inches to our waistlines, not subtracting years from a child's life.
Lol thats hilarious stuff. Kids being kidnapped for chocolate. Sounds like the oompa loompas.
I am very disappointed when I found out that OUR country, the country of freedom and opportunities, is buying from a cocoa company that encourages slavery. We need to stop this.
I can't believe we are so cruel. Everyone should say no to chocolate until this issue is solved...
Wow. I knew some cocoa farms weren't 'fair trade' but I didn't realise the extent of the problem. In Australia Cadbury is a primary brand (UK parent) but you didn't mention them in your list. They're talking about going fair trade but I don't know if it's all or some or if they use that region. How do we in AU find out? Thanks for bringing to our attention.
This is saddening and disgusting. People in rich western countries need to learn just how much the poor of this world suffer for their benefit, and take steps to stop this suffering.
This is brutal. End slavery now. Free these poor children.
This is definitely something that the U.S. should be looking into and trying to fix!
Stop the madness !
STOP SLAVERY!!!! NOW!!! ------ If you care about human rights and contamination, please sign my PETITION: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/clean-the-streams --------- THANK YOU!!!!!!
As of today I will only purchase chocolate that comes from the Fair Trade market no matter what the cost. I will strongly suggest to all to do the same.
How is it possible that this can even happen in this day and age, i will never have anything to do with chocolate again.
this is absolutely disgusting that these kids are being used as slaves.STOP IT NOW !!!!!!!!!
I am sickened by the idea of little children like my own being kidnapped and employed in the Chocolate industry, and will stop purchasing non-local chocolate until it ends and the industry is under better regulation. People should do sumthin 2 help these poor innocent kids out. Makin a child work and beat them is as worse as it gets. Those people should be sent to jail and have the same thing did 2 them. If you have a heart you will sign 2 help those children. Lets make a difference. It's extremely unfortunate to see children suffering and being tortured for freaking money and business...I can not believe what I am reading and the pictures that I am seeing..The government should do something about this issue immediately..
