Helsinki Commission to Hold a Hearing entitled: "A Decade of the Trafficking in Persons Report"

WASHINGTON­— U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), and Co-Chairman Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) announced today they will hold a hearing:

"A Decade of the Trafficking in Persons Report"

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

10:00 a.m.

SVC 203/202 (Capitol Visitor Center)

The Commission hearing will explore the future outlook for the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report prepared by the United States Department of State and help facilitate greater use of the report as a valuable tool of diplomacy. This hearing will emphasize U.S. Government, multilateral organizations, and NGO perspectives on the evolution of the TIP report, themes of the 2010 TIP report, the role of the report in international diplomatic efforts, and recommendations to improve its future effectiveness.

Witnesses scheduled to testify:

Ambassador-at-Large Luis C. deBaca, U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP)

Dr. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

Ms. Jolene Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Free the Slaves

Ms. Holly J. Burkhalter, Vice President for Government Relations, International Justice Mission