Ambassador with Anibal FernandezAmbassador Wayne Leads U.S. Delegation to the OAS’s Second Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons

March 25-27, 2009

Ambassador Wayne with Minister of Justice, Security and Human Rights Aníbal Fernández.

Ambassador Wayne leads the U.S. delegation to the Second Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons in Buenos Aires, Argentina, sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS) and co-hosted by the Governments of Argentina and Uruguay. Other members of the U.S. delegation to the OAS meeting in Argentina include officials from the Department of State, Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security. 

"As democracies dedicated to the defense of human dignity, the United States is committed to working with the member-states of the Organization of American States to fight those who generate and profit from human suffering. We commend the Argentine and Uruguayan government’s leadership in co-hosting the Second Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons. We remain strongly committed to working together with all parts of society who devote themselves to rescue victims, restore their dignity and bring traffickers to justice.” – Ambassador Wayne said.

The meeting, to be held March 25-27, 2009, will enhance cooperation among the 34 OAS member-states in combating trafficking in persons (TIP), prosecuting traffickers, and assisting victims of this heinous crime. Trafficking in persons affects all countries in the Americas and the United States is committed to combating trafficking in persons in all its forms. Trafficked women are often found in domestic servitude, prostitution, and sweatshops. Child victims are stripped of their childhood and exploited in prostitution, domestic servitude, mines, agriculture, begging and sweatshops in general.

During this three-day seminar, member-states will share their best practices and discuss how to face the challenges in the struggle against trafficking in persons.