Post date: May 13, 2013 4:21:9 PM
In her capacity as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino gives a passionate speech to the United Nations General Assembly against human trafficking.
UNITED NATIONS (MAY 13, 2013) (UNTV) - Actress Mira Sorvino told the international community on Monday (May 13) to no longer tolerate human trafficking calling it "slavery."
The Academy Award-winning actress gave a heartfelt speech during the high level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on human trafficking in her capacity as the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador."Man is a brutal animal. Our cruelty and use of intelligence to dominate and exploit others of our own kind is second to none in the natural world. But isn't it the purpose of this gathered body of nation leaders, nation builders to guide us to something more than that base brutality that failure of empathy, that allows some men to sell and others to buy the bodies of children for sex who have not even reached kindergarten age?" she told the gathering of world leaders.
She also went on to call the free market economy a "misnomer."
"What are we, how dare we call ourselves civilized if a vast economic market flourishes on our watch, trading in misery, the stunting of lives, minds, hopes and dreams, from the small to the adult, so that we, the consumers can enjoy cheaply made products?"
Sorvino won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1995 for her work in "Mighty Aphrodite." The Harvard-trained actress has been a UN Goodwill ambassador since 2009 and has participated in many campaigns on anti-human trafficking related issues, including meetings with victims.
Sorvino ended her address with urging world leaders to do more to help those affected by human trafficking.
"Those victims, waiting to reclaim their place in the sun wait for you. To open your hearts, and your nations' checkbooks to give them their lives back. Please give generously, and encourage others in your midst both governmental and in the private sector to do the same. You together can put an end to slavery," she said.
The two-day meeting will end on May 14, and is an opportunity for member states to assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the Global Plan - adopted by the General Assembly in 2010.
The plan resolved nations to take concrete actions to prevent and combat human trafficking and to assist victims.