Chargé d’Affaires hosts 2008 TIP Heroine Marietta Dias
On June 12, 2008 Chargé d’Affaires and Mrs. Chris Henzel hosted a press availability and reception in honor of 2008 Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) heroine Marietta Dias. Ms. Dias was honored for her work with the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) to combat human trafficking in Bahrain. Dias heads MWPS’s action committee and functions as the face of its efforts, coordinating her work with embassies, government agencies, and welfare groups to seek justice or repatriation for workers. Attendees included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H.E. Dr. Nizar Sadiq Mohammed Al Baharna, other senior Bahraini officials, the Ambassadors of India, China, Morocco, Thailand, the Philippines and Russia, and members of anti-TIP non-governmental organizations in Bahrain.
U.S. Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons
Ms. Dias offered the following remarks during the reception:
“Mahatma Gandhi said:
‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.’
There are thousands of good people across the globe who are exercising their will to bring justice and equality to their brethren.
Your excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
As I accept this honor with great happiness and pride, I would also like to dedicate it to the many, many caring and committed people in this country, including my close colleagues at the MWPS, who are bravely speaking up and taking action, on behalf of those who are trafficked across countries and then being mercilessly exploited, in one way or another.
I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Govt. of the United States of America and all those who had some part in choosing me as the recipient of this prestigious award. I thank the government of Bahrain and especially the members of various government ministries, whose invaluable cooperation and assistance enables us to bring satisfactory closure to hundreds of our cases.
As you can see, I am not an eloquent speaker, but in our field of work, it’s action, commitment, and determination that are required. Maybe that’s why I head the Action Committee of the Migrant Worker’s Protection Society and we are immensely grateful to the Government of Bahrain for allowing us to work freely on behalf of abused migrant workers of all nationalities. The wheels of change, for the better, are turning slowly and we need to be patient to a certain extent. From experience I have come to realize that jumping up and down and waving banners is not going to get us what we want.
Recognition in the form of this honor, comes with its own added responsibility that I now owe to all those who have put their trust and faith in the work I do. I hope this recognition acts as an added incentive to soldier on and never waver in my commitment and dedication, even when the chips are down.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge with great pride and gratitude, that all my achievements would not have been possible without the steadfast support and understanding of my dear family, some of whom are here with me tonight. I cannot thank them enough for encouraging and standing by me all the way. To each of them too, I dedicate this award.
Thank you and God bless you all.”