ALBANIAN ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVIST WINS LONDON AWARD
Vera Lesko, pioneering Albanian anti-trafficking activist and president of The Hearth of Vlora Women, will receive the 2003 Anti-Slavery Award from Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest international human rights organisation, on Thursday 20 November at Waterstones Bookshop in London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carole Howlett of the Metropolitan Police will present the Award to Vera Lesko for her outstanding work against the trafficking of women and girls into sexual exploitation.
In 1997, Vera founded The Hearth, which has successfully raised awareness of the issue among communities at risk and with police and officials, achieving increased acknowledgement of the problem and greater official co-operation. However, Albania remains one of the key countries from which women are trafficked.
The Hearth established the first shelter in Albania for trafficked women and children in 2001, providing vital medical, legal and counselling services as well as safe shelter.
Hundreds of women and children are trafficked to the UK each year; many from or through Albania. Although trafficking for prostitution is illegal in Albania, there is no law that protects victims of this abuse.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing form of slavery today; at least 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year, according to a recent US Government report. Traffickers use deception, coercion and violence to trick their victims and force them into a range of exploitative work including prostitution, domestic work, farm labour and construction. Penalties are insufficient to deter traffickers and people who have been trafficked are frequently treated as criminals rather than as victims of human rights abuse. It is vital governments make fighting this abuse a priority and ensure that protection of trafficked people’s rights are central to any laws and policies developed.
Notes:
· The ceremony will be held on Thursday 20 November at 7.00pm at: Waterstones Bookshop, The Simpson Room (top floor), 203-206 Piccadilly
· For more information, an interview with Vera Lesko, or to attend the Award ceremony, please contact Beth Herzfeld, Anti-Slavery Press Officer, on 020 7501 8934 or email: b.herzfeld@antislavery.org
· Vera Lesko speaks Albanian and will be accompanied by an interpreter
· A VNR interview of a girl trafficked from Albania to the UK is available
Anti-Slavery; today's fight for tomorrow's freedom:
http://www.antislavery.org
The Anti-Slavery Award
http://www.antislavery.org/homepage/antislavery/award.htm#link2
Vera Lesko, pioneering Albanian anti-trafficking activist and president of The Hearth of Vlora Women, will receive the 2003 Anti-Slavery Award from Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest international human rights organisation, on Thursday 20 November at Waterstones Bookshop in London.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carole Howlett of the Metropolitan Police will present the Award to Vera Lesko for her outstanding work against the trafficking of women and girls into sexual exploitation.
In 1997, Vera founded The Hearth, which has successfully raised awareness of the issue among communities at risk and with police and officials, achieving increased acknowledgement of the problem and greater official co-operation. However, Albania remains one of the key countries from which women are trafficked.
The Hearth established the first shelter in Albania for trafficked women and children in 2001, providing vital medical, legal and counselling services as well as safe shelter.
Hundreds of women and children are trafficked to the UK each year; many from or through Albania. Although trafficking for prostitution is illegal in Albania, there is no law that protects victims of this abuse.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing form of slavery today; at least 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year, according to a recent US Government report. Traffickers use deception, coercion and violence to trick their victims and force them into a range of exploitative work including prostitution, domestic work, farm labour and construction. Penalties are insufficient to deter traffickers and people who have been trafficked are frequently treated as criminals rather than as victims of human rights abuse. It is vital governments make fighting this abuse a priority and ensure that protection of trafficked people’s rights are central to any laws and policies developed.
Notes:
· The ceremony will be held on Thursday 20 November at 7.00pm at: Waterstones Bookshop, The Simpson Room (top floor), 203-206 Piccadilly
· For more information, an interview with Vera Lesko, or to attend the Award ceremony, please contact Beth Herzfeld, Anti-Slavery Press Officer, on 020 7501 8934 or email: b.herzfeld@antislavery.org
· Vera Lesko speaks Albanian and will be accompanied by an interpreter
· A VNR interview of a girl trafficked from Albania to the UK is available
Anti-Slavery; today's fight for tomorrow's freedom:
http://www.antislavery.org
The Anti-Slavery Award
http://www.antislavery.org/homepage/antislavery/award.htm#link2