The American ambassador's shocking statement: Albania, region leaders have sold girls for slavery

That statement was made Friday by US Ambassador to Tirana Donald Lu, while adding that he detests them. Donald Lu accused the countries of Albania and the region with no concrete names.

Some of the most touching cases have been during visits to NGO housing centres, I have met young girls who have returned from trafficking. This is an unimaginable crime and is against the values of people living in Albania and the Western Balkans. I hate that some of the voting directors of this country and other countries in the region were men who sold these innocent girls into slavery. They must be arrested and punished with the full power of law”, the chief diplomat at the regional conference against human trafficking.

Furthermore, Ambassador Donald Lu has made a strong appeal to the government, urging it to urgently hand over funds to women and children who fall victim to trafficking.

Lu said a regional network of co-operation against human trafficking will be established, where the goal is not only to accommodate these victims but also to have security and confidence.

The long-term goal is not just to put victims in shelter but to get out of them with skills, financial security and self-confidence. We call on the governments of the region, but especially Albania, to provide funds for the housing of trafficked women and children. There is a need for the government not only to engage politically to secure financing, but to deliver funding without delay to women and children who are victims of traffic”, Lu added.

For the American diplomat, this issue cannot be solved without regional co-operation.

“To do so, countries in the region must think about implementing the law in a regional context. I congratulate Albania for showing regional leadership. Trafficking in human beings is not a matter that is resolved without regional co-operation, The UN understands this and supports the governments of NGOs”, Ambassador Lu says.