[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING SOUTH AFRICA ON FIRST TWO CONVICTIONS FOR HUMAN 
                              TRAFFICKING

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues 
Representative Chris Smith and Representative Kay Granger in 
congratulating the government of South Africa for their efforts to 
combat human trafficking.
  Let there be no mistake: human trafficking is modern-day slavery. 
Although slavery was abolished almost 150 years ago in the United 
States, millions of people worldwide are still deprived of their 
freedom. Victims of this growing epidemic are forced into a world of 
abuse and exploitation. I have worked with my colleagues in Congress 
for years to fight this horrific problem but our work is far from over.
  Past experiences indicate that global sporting events such as the 
World Cup strongly affect the human trafficking industry. The influx of 
millions of tourists to South Africa for the World Cup increases the 
demand for prostitution and facilitates the entry of trafficking 
victims to the country. Women and girls are reportedly being trafficked 
to South Africa from all over the world in order to meet the demand for 
commercial sex. With so many people entering the country, it is 
important to raise awareness of the horrors of human trafficking and be 
able to identify victims from tourists. The government of South Africa 
not only needs to protect its vulnerable population but also those that 
have been trafficked from across the globe.
  House Resolution 1412 is an important measure that not only commends 
the government of South Africa for their efforts to combat human 
trafficking but also urges them to act quickly to pass anti-trafficking 
legislation. Strong police enforcement and strict government laws are 
especially critical during the World Cup in order to protect potential 
victims and ensure victims are given proper attention. Although the 
government of South Africa has worked to tackle this issue and has 
successfully convicted two human trafficking cases more needs to be 
done to prosecute traffickers and buyers of the industry.
  It is our duty to protect men, women, boys, and girls from this 
devastating scourge that is destroying people's lives.

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