Public Release of the 2004 “Trafficking in Persons Report”

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell will release the fourth annual Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report on Monday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. in the State Department’s Press Briefing Room. Following Secretary Powell’s opening remarks, John R. Miller, the Secretary’s Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons, will respond to press queries, on-the-record and on-camera.

The 141-country report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, or modern-day slavery. Its findings will raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons. The assessment includes reports on countries determined to have a significant number of victims of severe forms of human trafficking.

This year there is an added focus on the supply and demand sides that fuel trafficking in persons. Also new this year, the Trafficking in Persons Report will recognize national and international heroes, some of whom will attend the news conference, in the effort to prevent and combat this crime in their communities.

Embargoed copies of the report will be available to members of the press for pickup at 11:00 a.m. on June 14 in the Press Office, Room 2109. The report will be embargoed until the conclusion of Mr. Miller’s press briefing. The report will also be available on the web at www.state.gov as soon as possible after the briefing has concluded.

Media representatives planning to attend must present one of the following items: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport).

Members of the press wishing to attend this briefing who do not have a Department of State building pass should arrive at the 23^rd Street entrance by 1:30 p.m. to be processed through security.

Reporters who wish to schedule a one-on-one interview with Special Advisor Miller may contact Public Affairs Specialist Caroline Tetschner (202) 312-9648.

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