Smith to International lawmakers: The pandemic puts human trafficking victims at higher risk

US @RepChrisSmith, the PA’s Special Rep. on #HumanTrafficking Issues, noted that despite the #COVIDpandemic, traffickers are continuing their crimes & victims still need to be rescued. “We must prioritize the fight against human trafficking, even during this crisis,” he said. pic.twitter.com/isUQuG45lV

— OSCE PA (@oscepa) April 27, 2020

Sexual predators and human traffickers have not taken a holiday during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Victims need to be rescued and survivors need assistance. Predators are online grooming vulnerable children and women.

• Tweet

57 Countries Endorse Tools To Combat Human Trafficking Proposed By Congressman Chris Smith

The  Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCEPA), an assembly of over 300 lawmakers from 57 countries in Europe and North American adopted “Implementing Trafficking-Free Communities,” a comprehensive resolution to combat human trafficking sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, during their 27th annual session yesterday in Berlin.

Based upon best practices developed in the United States under Smith’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the resolution encourages governments to implement multiple best practices simultaneously to significantly reduce trafficking in a community over the course of a year.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Congressman Smith Leads Dialogue With Russian Lawmakers In Prelude To Trump-Putin Summit

Congressman Chris Smith addresses the the 27th Annual Session of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Parliamentary Assembly, Saturday July 7. Photo courtesy of Congressman Smith’s office

Congressman Chris Smith had a candid, firm and respectful exchange with Russian lawmakers on Saturday in Berlin wherein he confronted his counterparts, led by Pyotr Tolstoy, Deputy Chairman of the Russian legislature, on an array of human rights violations and geopolitical issues, he told MMM in an phone interview following the meeting which the 27th Annual Session of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Parliamentary Assembly.

Smith heads the 13 member U.S. delegation to OSCE-PA. Tolstoy leads the Russian delegation.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Congressman Smith To Lead Dialogue With Russian Lawmakers

Congressman Chris Smith (R,NJ-4) is leading a congressional delegation in a bilateral meeting with Russian lawmakers, including  Pyotr Tolstoi, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma (parliament) during a four day conference which starts on Saturday, July 7, in Berlin.

The meeting is part of the 27th Annual Session of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Parliamentary Assembly.

The bilateral meeting with Russian lawmakers comes nine days before President Donald J. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet