Speech

Address for the premiere of “TRAFFIC: An MTV EXIT Special”
Lao National Cultural Hall
September 5; 1:00 p.m.

Good afternoon.

I am very pleased to be here for this special film event.
Trafficking in persons is a problem everywhere in the world.
In the United States.
In Laos.

It is a problem both within nations and across international borders.

Trafficking is not the same as moving to find better work opportunities. Trafficking is a crime. As with all crimes, trafficking has victims.

Victims of trafficking lose their freedom. They may lose their health. Some even lose their lives. As Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has said, human trafficking is “a modern-day form of slavery.”

This film tells the story of young people in Asia who are trafficking victims. The film was made through a special partnership between MTV and the U.S. Agency for International Development. 

This film is meant to educate and warn potential victims of trafficking dangers. I hope this film will save many people in Laos from the suffering caused by trafficking in persons.

I hope the Lao people will listen to their stories in this film. I hope they will learn how not to become victims.

I am pleased the U.S. is working with the Lao government to end human trafficking and to help those who have already suffered from this crime.

Thank you.