Some folks may not be aware of this, but the United States State Department has a dedicated office called “Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.”

It is the U.S. government’s primary inter-agency coordinating authority on human trafficking. The Office is headed by Ambassador John R. Miller, a former congressman from Washington State (full disclosure, he was previously the Chairman of the Board of Discovery Institute, with which I am affiliated).

Ambassdaor Miller just released the following statement:

Photo: Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department

Photo: Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department

Subject: Update from the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Dear Friend in the fight to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery,

We invite you to view our new photo gallery featuring Images of Human Trafficking. The Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons assigned a U.S. photographer, Kay Chernush, to take these photos in India, Thailand, Italy, and Hong Kong in 2005. They are available for use with the credit: “Kay Chernush for the U.S. State Department.” High resolution versions of the photos are available to download from the photo gallery website.

We are also pleased to release the latest data on 2005 anti-TIP program funding. In FY 2005, the United States obligated approximately $95 million to 266 programs in 101 countries. The fact sheet contains funding information from U.S. government agencies working on both domestic and international anti-TIP efforts, as well as funds designated by region, Tier placement, and type of human trafficking.

We continue to encourage and applaud your efforts in the 21st century abolitionist movement!

Sincerely,

Ambassador John R. Miller

Be sure to take a look at the gallery.