US Mission Hosts Anti Human Trafficking Program

On February 4, Deputy Chief of Mission Robert K. Scott (center in suit) hosted a discussion and film-screening of the United States Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons-sponsored film "A Journey to Freedom." The session convened Tanzanian government officials from the anti-trafficking secretariat, representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Interpol, Immigration, Tanzanian police officers, and students and faculty members from The Institute of Social Welfare.

 In his remarks, DCM Scott underscored the United States' commitment to combat human trafficking within our own borders and abroad, and lauded the Government of Tanzania' initiatives to address human trafficking issues in the country. During the discussion, participants highlighted the need for the Government of Tanzania to invest more efforts on addressing the problem of human trafficking. The group also stressed the need for more education and for awareness raising on the scourge of human trafficking, particularly in rural areas where the populations are most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. The film screening was held in commemoration of January 2013 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and February 1 as the 150th commemoration of the date when the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery was presented to the States for ratification. Also in the picture is the United States Embassy Dar es Salaam Information Resource Center Director Ebben Msuya (left in suit).