In commemoration of National Freedom Day, Ambassador Louis CdeBaca of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. State Department released a statement recognizing the courage of those around the world “whose pursuit of freedom was and continues to be unflagging.” On the anniversary of President Lincoln’s signing of the 13^th Amendment to the Constitution, which formally abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, CdeBaca said that we honor the sacrifices made by abolitionists who gave their lives to the cause of freedom. He went on to renew the pledge of the United States to the eradication of modern day slavery and human trafficking:

“The United States recommits itself today to pursue a world without modern slavery by utilizing every means necessary to shine a brighter light on this heinous crime, thereby ensuring the protection of victims, the prevention of future occurrences, and the prosecution of traffickers.”

Read Ambassador CdeBaca’s full statement here.