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Statements

Ambassador Jacobson speaks at the launch of Kosovo’s 2012 National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Campaign

September 18, 2012
Ambassador Jacobson speaks at the launch of Kosovo’s 2012 National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Campaign, September 18, 2012 ( Photo: U.S. Embassy Pristina)

Ambassador Jacobson speaks at the launch of Kosovo’s 2012 National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Campaign, September 18, 2012

It is a real pleasure to be here at this event marking the start of Kosovo’s National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Campaign. 

I’m honored to be here to speak to you about an issue that’s important to Kosovo, and the United States as well.  Trafficking in persons is an insidious crime.  It preys on the vulnerable, and often hides their suffering under the pretense of legitimate work. 
 
Kosovo, through the leadership of Deputy Minister Rašić and the inter-ministerial working group, has made great strides in improving its TIP record.  We are proud to be able to contribute to your work in this area through our State Department, Department of Justice, and USAID programs.  Over the years, we have worked side by side with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victim advocates to improve investigative techniques and victim services. 
There is always more work to be done, however.  Strong police investigations and improvements in victim care mean little if the criminals are not prosecuted and put into prison.  The State Department’s 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report highlighted prosecutions as an area of weakness in Kosovo’s anti-TIP efforts.  We strongly encourage and support the work that Kosovo is doing to reduce the criminal case backlog and increase training on prosecuting complex crimes. 
 
In addition to prosecution, protection is another pillar of fighting trafficking.  Any man, woman, or child who is trafficked is a crime victim and must be identified as a crime victim whose rights have been violated.  The must be properly identified, and must receive appropriate care.  Our TIP Report gives Kosovo credit for setting victim-centered standards for protection and for sustaining its efforts to protect victims of trafficking.
 
The report also notes, however, that children involved in begging constitute a unique problem.  Given the particular vulnerability of children, I believe that this is an area that warrants special attention.  That is why we are pleased to see the theme of the awareness campaign this year.  Bringing victims to the forefront of your campaign – particularly child victims – will remind everyone why your work in this area is so important and so necessary.
Traffickers are predators.  They profit off the hopes of people who are simply looking for a better life for themselves and their families.  It will take the work of all of Kosovo’s citizens, not just the government, to eradicate trafficking.  Recognition of a problem is the first step towards change.  And this awareness campaign will do much to educate Kosovo’s public about this horrible crime and what they can do to help.
 
I wish continued success in your efforts to combat trafficking in persons.  And assure you that the United States will remain a strong partner with you in all of these efforts.
Thank you.

It is a real pleasure to be here at this event marking the start of Kosovo’s National Anti-Trafficking Awareness Campaign. 

I’m honored to be here to speak to you about an issue that’s important to Kosovo, and the United States as well.  Trafficking in persons is an insidious crime.  It preys on the vulnerable, and often hides their suffering under the pretense of legitimate work.  

Kosovo, through the leadership of Deputy Minister Rašić and the inter-ministerial working group, has made great strides in improving its TIP record.  We are proud to be able to contribute to your work in this area through our State Department, Department of Justice, and USAID programs.  Over the years, we have worked side by side with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victim advocates to improve investigative techniques and victim services. 

There is always more work to be done, however.  Strong police investigations and improvements in victim care mean little if the criminals are not prosecuted and put into prison.  The State Department’s 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report highlighted prosecutions as an area of weakness in Kosovo’s anti-TIP efforts.  We strongly encourage and support the work that Kosovo is doing to reduce the criminal case backlog and increase training on prosecuting complex crimes.  
In addition to prosecution, protection is another pillar of fighting trafficking.  

Any man, woman, or child who is trafficked is a crime victim and must be identified as a crime victim whose rights have been violated.  The must be properly identified, and must receive appropriate care.  Our TIP Report gives Kosovo credit for setting victim-centered standards for protection and for sustaining its efforts to protect victims of trafficking. 

The report also notes, however, that children involved in begging constitute a unique problem.  Given the particular vulnerability of children, I believe that this is an area that warrants special attention.  That is why we are pleased to see the theme of the awareness campaign this year.  Bringing victims to the forefront of your campaign – particularly child victims – will remind everyone why your work in this area is so important and so necessary.

Traffickers are predators.  They profit off the hopes of people who are simply looking for a better life for themselves and their families.  It will take the work of all of Kosovo’s citizens, not just the government, to eradicate trafficking.  Recognition of a problem is the first step towards change.  And this awareness campaign will do much to educate Kosovo’s public about this horrible crime and what they can do to help. 

I wish continued success in your efforts to combat trafficking in persons. And assure you that the United States will remain a strong partner with you in all of these efforts.
Thank you.