Brazilian Artists Honoured for Anti-Human Trafficking Work

11 October 2007 - Several well-respected artists were honoured for their support of the fight against human trafficking at the Brazilian launch event for the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) on 2 October in Brasília.

The author Silvio de Abreu, actors Tony Ramos and Maria Flor, and Globo TV, the largest broadcasting network in Brazil, all received awards for highlighting the issue of human trafficking in the popular drama "Belíssima", which on average has more than 50 million viewers. The event, taking place at the Italian embassy in Brasilia, was attended by some 300 dignitaries, senior officials and experts. 

"Belíssima" narrates the story of Taís Junqueira (Maria Flor) who becomes a victim of an international human trafficking ring in Greece, but meets Nikos (Tony Ramos), who helps her regain her freedom.

"There are many women like Taís around the world, and many potential victims of human trafficking to be cautioned," actress Maria Flor said when accepting her award.

Author Silvio de Abreu said he was very happy that his work helped raise awareness of human trafficking in Brazil, spurring discussion on the issue within almost every home in the country. Tony Ramos, popular across Latin America, noted that "every person, every company, every institution has to give its contribution - its share of social responsibility."

During the ceremony, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also commended several initiatives of prevention and awareness-raising concerning human trafficking by naming and giving them the "UNODC Friend" award.

Rudi Lagemann, director of the film "Angels of the Sun", was honoured for his public-awareness work on human trafficking, while advertising agency "Mr. Brain" received an award for its pro-bono work on the Brazilian UN.GIFT media campaign.

All three efforts will be highlighted as best-practice examples for public-awareness building at the upcoming Vienna Forum on human trafficking, taking place at UNODC's headquarters in the Austrian capital in February, 2008.

The ambassadors of the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland also received commendations for their financial support of UNODC´s joint project with the Brazilian government, while the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates was awarded for the overall financial support to UN.GIFT.

Among those attending the launch event, were Nilcéia Freire, Brasilian Minister for Women Policies, several ambassadors and senior UN officials.