Fighting modern slavery from space: How satellite data is shaping a new era of human rights protection

The "Brick Belt" in South Asia – spanning parts of India, Pakistan, and Nepal – is home to an estimated 20,000 to 50,000 brick kilns. Many are notorious for exploiting workers under forced labor or debt bondage conditions. Research indicates that 70% of the region's 5 million brick kiln workers are trapped in such circumstances.

Satellite imagery has played a pivotal role in addressing this issue:

• Identification: High-resolution satellite images reveal the distinctive oval shapes and red hues of brick kilns.
• AI Automation: Once volunteers manually tag kilns on platforms like Google Earth, AI algorithms are trained to detect and track new kilns automatically.
• Operational Insights: Continuous imaging from companies like Planet Labs, Maxar or Airbus allows researchers to monitor kiln activity patterns over time.

This technology is helping NGOs prioritize inspections and coordinate with local authorities to plan interventions. Volunteers initially tag these kilns manually on Google Earth images. Once enough data is gathered, AI algorithms can be trained to automatically detect and track new kilns in subsequent images. Using AI for kiln detection will significantly speed up the identification process, allowing human rights organizations to respond more quickly to instances of exploitation.  Additionally, daily satellite imagery will provide researchers with invaluable insights into the dynamics of the brick kilns. 

In southern Greece, the agricultural sector, particularly strawberry fields, has been linked to forced labor. Migrant workers, primarily from Bangladesh, often endure dire conditions. The issue gained attention in 2013 when guards shot at workers demanding fair wages, leading to a European Court of Human Rights ruling.

Researchers from the University of Nottingham's Rights Lab have employed satellite technology to:

• Monitor migrant settlements in strawberry-growing regions.
• Combine satellite data with on-the-ground information to develop risk models.
• Enable targeted interventions, reducing the time and cost of physical surveys.

These efforts have improved the ability to detect and address exploitation in agricultural areas. 

In the Brazilian Amazon, forced labor is often used in industries like illegal logging and charcoal production. Satellite imagery has been instrumental in:

• Detection: AI systems analyze images to identify charcoal ovens – commonly used structures in forced labor operations.
• Monitoring: High-resolution data tracks activity over time, alerting authorities to potential violations.

Such initiatives have strengthened the capacity of Brazilian agencies to combat forced labor while preserving the region's ecological integrity.

West Africa produces 70% of the world's cocoa, but its industry has long faced criticism for child labor and forced labor practices. Satellite monitoring is helping to:

• Detect illegal deforestation linked to cocoa farms.
• Promote sustainable farming practices by providing real-time satellite imagery insights into land use changes.
• Support global chocolate companies in meeting commitments to eliminate forced labor from supply chains.

These efforts are reshaping how industries ensure ethical sourcing.