The Embassy Hosts a Video Discussion on Trafficking in Persons

June 24, 2009

Chargé d’Affaires Virginia Blaser addresses the audience before the screening of the documentary film “Forced Labour.”

In the context of the release of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2009 on Tuesday, June 16 by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington D.C, the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy in collaboration with the Political Section hosted a video discussion on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 to get various stakeholders to think about the various approaches which Mauritius can adopt to abolish modern day trafficking. The short documentary film "Forced Labour" follows the personal story of a young girl from Moldova who was tricked into being an agricultural slave in Western Europe.
 
Law enforcement officials, representatives from the Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the Passport & Immigration Office and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) participated in the ninety minutes program which was held in the Information Resource Center. The media was also present.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Craig White introduced Chargé d’Affaires Virginia Blaser to the audience.  In her speech, Chargé Blaser stressed on the need to abolish modern day trafficking.  For this to happen – she spoke about the “three Ps”-- Prosecution of the exploiters, Protection of the victims, and Prevention.  After the short film, Political Officer Quentin Barber took over the program and initiated an interactive debate with the guests. 

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