ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has said that the United States is committed to support Pakistan’s efforts in addressing the human rights issue.
In his remarks at the inauguration of the International Conference on Combating Trafficking and Bonded Labor of Women and Girls in Pakistan held in Islamabad on Tuesday, the ambassador said that human trafficking is an appalling and pervasive crime, adding that it deprives millions worldwide of their dignity and freedom.
The ambassador said that human trafficking is a global crisis that touches every Country including Pakistan and the United States.
Ambassador Blome said that an estimated 27.6 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking including millions of women and children. He said that beyond the harm to individual victims, trafficking-in-persons also undermines national security, distorts markets, enriches transnational criminals and terrorists, and is an affront to our universal values.
The ambassador further said that the US Embassy’s ongoing grant program with the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) is a testament to the effectiveness of meaningful partnerships between civil society and the public sector, demonstrating how we can expand awareness, leverage expertise, and facilitate creative solutions when we work together.
Donald Blome said that the toll of human trafficking is borne disproportionately by its survivors; however, it would be a mistake to dismiss the impact it has on all of society. He said that human trafficking erodes the rule of law, the safety of our communities, the security of our borders, and the strength of our economy.
The US envoy said that the severity and pervasiveness of this issue demands our collective action.
“Working together — across government, business, and civil society — is essential in our joint effort to create a fairer and more equitable world,” he said.
“We are making progress, but there is still a lot of work remaining to do,” he added.
Ambassador Blome said that through this Conference, I hope to see partnerships develop and opportunities for further collaboration explored.
“Together, we can increase awareness of the risks and consequences of human trafficking, strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to identify and investigate trafficking crimes, and share best practices in assisting and protecting survivors,” he noted.
