Somaly Mam participates in UNODC Panel on Human Trafficking

(WNN) UNITED NATIONS: Human trafficking was on the agenda on April 3, 2012 at the United Nations in New York as a UN General Assembly interactive dialogue meeting, “Fighting Human Trafficking: Partnership and Innovation to End Violence Against Women,” revealed that international funding efforts are falling short, in spite of ongoing organizational efforts to decrease the number of people forced into labor or prostitution.

Co-Chairs included: H.E. Mr. Jose Filipe Moraes Cabral, Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN and H.E. Libran Cabactulan, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN  

Panelists included:

Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN Under-Secretary General, Executive Director of UN Women

Ms. Alyse Nelson, President of Vital Voices Global Partnership

Mr. M. Cherif Bassiouni, Professor of Law Emeritus, DePaul University College of Law

Mr. David Arkless, President, Global Corporate and Government Affairs, ManpowerGroup

H.E. Valentin Rybakov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus on Foreign Policy

“I am especially honoured that we are joined today by Rani Hong and Somaly Mam,” said Secretary Ban during the UN dialogues event. “Ms. Hong founded the Tronie Foundation with her husband. Both were victims of trafficking. Both have used their experience to stop this crime and help others heal. They are truly inspiring” he continued. The global crime of human trafficking and sex-trafficking generates $32 billion annually, outlined the UNODC, with crimes “rival the profits reaped by the illicit trade in arms and drugs.”

“Ms. Mam also endured terrible atrocities,” added Secretary Ban. “Not only was she the victim of human trafficking, but after she escaped, her daughter was kidnapped as well. It is quite possible that the kidnappers were targeting Somaly’s family because she is fighting against them,” he outlined. “Women are lured out of their homes and countries with false promises. They are stripped of their passports, their dignity and their personal security,” said Secretary Ban urging the Assembly Member States to increase their collaborative efforts.

“Where traffickers use threats and weapons, we must respond with laws and prosecutions.” Other UN officials attending the UN dialogue included Michele Bachelet as well as the Chair of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking, Aleya Hammad.

“Children born today, particularly girls, should not have to face the possibility of being forced into this modern form of slavery tomorrow,” stressed attending Academy Award winning celebrity actress, Ms. Mira Sorvino, who worked as an advocate with Amnesty International joined efforts in 2010 as the UN Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking.

 To view webcast of the event online click here.

To view Somaly Mam's speaking segment, click here.  

For the full article on Women's News Network, click here.  

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