2006 Press Releases
U.S. Embassy Representatives Visit Anti-trafficking Working Groups and American Centers in Liepaja and Daugavpils
In 2005 the U.S. government funded a project to establish regional anti-trafficking working groups in Liepaja, and Daugavpils. The goal of this project was to bring together different law-enforcement agencies, social workers, and other parties to address the trafficking issues within the two communities. The project was carried out by the International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA), in conjunction with the Council of Youth Health Centers of Latvia (LJVCP), and other non-governmental organizations. The project was supported by the local municipalities in Liepaja and Daugavpils.
As Latvia is a source and transit country for victims of human trafficking and identifying of trafficking instances and investigations into trafficking related crimes were complex, the main goal of the project initially was to educate representatives of the working groups about the trafficking issues in general and to raise their awareness of the severe nature of human trafficking. Training was provided to the working groups on what can be done within their municipalities to prevent trafficking and promote cooperation and dialogue among law enforcement officials, municipality leaders, and persons from other institutions.
To encourage working group representatives to continue being involved in the anti-trafficking fight Consul Landon R.Taylor will meet the working group in Liepaja on June 5. The working group in Daugavpils will be visited on June 8. The activities of the working groups contribute to U.S. and Latvian efforts to fight trafficking in persons.
Consul Taylor and specialists from Embassy’s Public Affairs Section will also visit the American Centers in libraries of Liepaja and Daugavpils to provide them with a number of copies of the CD “Study in the USA - Guide to U.S. Higher Education”. Information on the CD, which will be available in both American Centers, will help potential Latvian students to become familiar with the U.S. education system, scholarships, application process and visa process..
More information about embassy’s anti-trafficking projects and education opportunities in the U.S. can be found in the home page of the U.S. Embassy in Riga at www.usembassy.lv.
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 750-9022
Internet: www.usembassy.lv
Media specialist’s e-mail: ruklisk@state.gov