Combating Trafficking for Forced Labor Purposes in the OSCE Region

Transcript

Thursday, October 11, 2007, 4:00 am

Witnesses

Ambasssador Mark P. Lagon

Deputy Assistant Secretary

Bureau of International Organization Affairs

Ms. Charlotte M. Ponticelli

Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs

U.S. Department of Labor

Mr. Michael E. Feinberg

Acting Director, Office of International Affairs

Ms. Eva Biaudet

OSCE Special Representative; Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

OSCE

Mr. Roger Plant

Head, Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour

Programme on Promoting the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work

Dr. Kevin Bales

President

Free the Slaves

The purpose of the hearing is to examine the scope and efficacy of OSCE and U.S. efforts to combat human trafficking for forced labor purposes; assess the effectiveness of legal anti-trafficking instruments in combating forced labor in selected member states, and the adequacy of resources dedicated to identifying victims of trafficking for forced labor, as compared with those directed at sexual trafficking. Witnesses may also be asked to suggest additional measures that OSCE states or the U.S. Government might employ to better address trafficking and the underlying factors that make people vulnerable to becoming TIP victims.