Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon joined Fr. Thomas Brennan, SDB, and several other speakers on the dais at the Congress 2008: Women Religious in Network Against Trafficking in Persons

4 June 2008

Remarks for IOM/PRM Anti-Trafficking Conference, June 4, 2008

(By Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, U.S. Embassy to the Holy See )

Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon joined Fr. Thomas Brennan, SDB, and several other speakers on the dais at the "Congress 2008: Women Religious in Network Against Trafficking in Persons," organized by the Union of International Superiors General and the International Organization for Migration. The Congress runs from June 2 - 6, 2008, at Rome's Istituto Fratelli della Scuola Cristiana.

As prepared for delivery on June 4, 2008

First of all, I want to express my heartfelt admiration and gratitude to all of you for your work in combating what are nothing less than modern-day forms of slavery. As a professor, one of the commonest aspirations I hear from idealistic students is that they hope to “make a difference,” and one of their commonest worries is wondering whether and how they can do that. You will never have to wonder whether your efforts have made a difference. You know what a difference you have made in the fight against forced labor and sexual exploitation. You see it in the lives of the many young women and girls you have assisted in getting off the streets into reintegration programs and to a place where they can again lead productive lives, with their human dignity intact. But you also know how much remains to be done.

I am glad to say that the United States government is proud to support your efforts. In 2007, the U.S. spent approximately 79 million dollars to fund 180 anti-trafficking projects in more than 90 countries around the world. We also hope that our efforts to promote legal and economic reforms in many countries of origin will help reduce the conditions that facilitate trafficking.

Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will release the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report. I’m sure most of you are familiar with this report, likely use it in your work. Covering 170 countries, the TIP Report is the most comprehensive worldwide documentation on the efforts governments are making to combat trafficking in persons. This year’s report includes a particular focus on issues related to forced labor – an often neglected manifestation of trafficking. The intent of the TIP Report is not to “grade” countries, but rather to serve as a diplomatic tool to engage governments on the issue, to share best practices, and to identify areas for practical improvement. The more countries we can get to work together on this transnational problem, the more likely we are to make progress in eradicating it.

The United States can provide funding and support, but as we all know, the human connection with victims is vital. That is where the staff of the International Organization for Migration and the members of religious orders throughout the world are making all the difference. Yours are the human faces that bring hope to so many victims.

I can only imagine how difficult that task must be at times. Many people prefer to avert their eyes from these degrading activities, but you look them squarely in the face. The program many of you have attended will, I hope, help to strengthen you as you deal with horrors no one should have to see. And I know you will find valuable support in the networks that enable you to share experiences and best practices.

Of course, the road ahead is lengthy and difficult. Just two weeks ago Pope Benedict XVI pointed to poverty and a decline in moral values as underlying factors in the “abhorrent exploitation” of human beings. It will not be enough to address the economic conditions that render people especially susceptible to exploitation, difficult as that will be, we must also address the demand for modern-day slaves. When people quit buying trafficking victims, or using them for pleasure or profit, the market for the trade in human life will dry up. Both the supply and demand sides of the trafficking equation must be addressed.

Here, I believe, is where men’s religious orders and the clergy can have an important impact. The IOM is to be commended for developing what seems like an excellent pilot program to work with clergy of several faiths, including Islam and Judaism, to address demand. Men who exploit women and children need to be challenged. There is an important role here for leaders of faith communities.

Much remains to be done, too, in the area of rehabilitation. You, of all people, are well aware that trafficking victims can remain traumatized long after they are liberated. Most have been physically assaulted, emotionally traumatized, infected with diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and rejected by their families and society. Child victims are deprived of their very childhood, as well as essentials such as medical care, proper nutrition, and basic education to shape their adult lives. Psychological scars take a long time to heal. What a difference you can make in a person’s life with the personal attention and empathy you provide!

One of the graces I have received in my own work with the Holy See is a heightened appreciation of the vast army of men and women religious and dedicated laypeople operating at the grassroots level all over the world in direct contact with victims of trafficking. President Bush knows this too, and he has made it a priority of his administration to work in partnership with faith-based organizations on a whole range of issues, including the fight against trafficking in human beings. I can assure you that President Bush has first-hand knowledge and genuine appreciation of the tremendous work being done in this area throughout the world.

In October of last year, he wrote to the participants of an anti-trafficking Training Seminar hosted by my Embassy: “I appreciate all those who are working to combat human trafficking and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Your efforts reflect the very best of the human spirit and help build a world where every life is respected.” Those sentiments hold true for all of you here today who are so committed to anti-trafficking work. To further underline my Embassy’s support for this noble cause, on June 27 we will host an event to distribute the proceedings of that Training Seminar. I believe it is vitally important that we make use of every opportunity to spread the anti-trafficking message and to show a united front against those who deny freedom and basic human rights to so many men, women and children.

In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (whose 60 th anniversary our Embassy is celebrating this year) it is said that the foundation of human rights is the inherent dignity of every member of the human family. Trafficking in persons is a core human rights issue because it attacks the essence of human dignity. That's why the Holy See uses its moral standing to draw international attention to this dehumanizing activity; and the United States uses its political and economic strength to support programs like the ones you are evaluating during this conference.

It has been a real honor to be in your company this afternoon. I wish you well for the rest of your deliberations and for your critical and life-changing work around the world.