Thank you, Mr. President.

My delegation asked for the floor to express its strong support for the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons and the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women.

These are among the mandates that my Government considers most essential.

Like many other delegations that have spoken today, my delegation strongly supports effective action on the important issue of trafficking in persons.

We have implemented and refined strong federal legislation on this subject. For example, amendments adopted in 2005 required anti-trafficking and protection measures to be incorporated into our government’s post-conflict and humanitarian emergency assistance programs and activities and established extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking offenses committed abroad by employees or contractors of the U.S. government. Departments in our federal government also conduct information campaigns, including on the issue of sex tourism, and provide training and outreach, both domestically and abroad, to increase awareness and further efforts to combat trafficking in persons.

Specifically with regard to Ms. Huda’s work, we are pleased that she has devoted attention to the crucial issue of the demand side of trafficking in persons.

With regard to violence against women, while the Special Rapporteur’s report raises difficult legal issues that merit careful consideration, such as the implications of a “due diligence” approach, we strongly support the need to draw attention to this important issue.

We have taken extensive actions within our domestic system to combat violence against women, including over 700 new domestic violence-related enactments (e.g., laws and regulations). And Congress has enacted three major pieces of legislation that recognize the seriousness of domestic violence and the importance of a nationwide response.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to address these issues, Mr. President.