Press Releases

Members of U.S. Congress Visit Albania On Regional Anti-Trafficking Tour (March 30, 2005)

U.S. Congresswomen Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Kay Granger (R-TX), and Thelma Drake (R-VA) will visit Albania March 30-31 as part of a regional tour to investigate trafficking of persons and efforts underway to address this problem. The Congressional delegation also traveled to Greece and Moldova and will conclude their trip in Italy.

The Congresswomen will meet with Government officials, business representatives, NGO leaders, international organizations, and journalists working on anti-trafficking efforts as well as with trafficking victims. In addition to meetings in Tirana, the Congresswomen will tour the Durres Port to observe the U.S. Department of Justice’s Total Information Management System (TIMS), designed to increase law enforcement organizations’ effectiveness in combating trafficking in persons and other crimes.

During their visit, the Congresswomen will discuss with NGOs and donor organizations the work that they are doing to fight trafficking in persons, protect victims and at-risk persons, and promote the voluntary return and re-integration of victims. They are also interested in learning about the Government of Albania's progress in implementing the National Action Plan on anti-trafficking.