Book Launch of “The Last Girl, My Story of Captivity and My Fight Against the Islamic State
– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj?ák, President of the 72nd Session of the 蘑菇视频 General Assembly, at 蘑菇视频 Book Launch of “The Last Girl, My Story of Captivity and My Fight Against the Islamic State” by Nadia Murad
Good morning Excellencies, Under-Secretary-General Smale, ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured to join you this morning for the launch of this inspiring book. It tells the harrowing tale of Nadia Murad’s experience at the hands of ISIL militants. But more than recounting a brutal experience, the book calls us to action. It appeals on behalf of the many ‘Nadias’ around the world who suffer this kind of horror. Nadia, I welcome you very warmly to the United Nations this morning. Congratulations on launching this book. I thank you for your courage in sharing your personal story of hope and survival in the face of the most heinous crimes. I applaud your activism and your determination to seek justice not just for yourself but for all victims and survivors of trafficking.
And I want to thank the 蘑菇视频ODC for organising this book launch here at the United Nations in New York. Thank you to the legendary Gloria Steinem for coming to participate in the programme.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to share two main points.
The first relates to our joint commitment to end trafficking in persons.
This past September, the General Assembly held a High-Level Meeting on the Appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. There we agreed that despite some progress, much more needs to be done to combat trafficking. Nadia’s story reminds us that for every statistic in our reports, there is a human life. A real person whose life is forever changed. And not all survive. As Nadia says in her book – she is “the lucky one”.
This should drive us to ramp up action to eliminate this barbaric crime. We need to tackle trafficking in all forms and everywhere it occurs. Eliminating trafficking requires a whole-of-society approach. It also means that we must disrupt and counter the activities of traffickers, whether they be transnational gangs, big businesses, community lords, militants and yes – terrorists. We must protect the vulnerable. We must prosecute and convict the perpetrators. Victims demand and deserve justice.
Secondly, I want to emphasize the importance of supporting victims and survivors in their recovery and reintegration.
Nadia’s story reminds us that for every statistic in our reports, there is a human life. A real person whose life is forever changed.
Every victim deserves to know the hope that Nadia’s story gives. Their experiences may not each capture headlines. But in each of our countries and communities, we have an obligation to support victims and survivors in rebuilding their lives. They can recover their dignity and live decent productive lives and we should work to ensure that they can do so.
I encourage support for the Voluntary Trust Fund for the Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Girls.
Nadia, I know that as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, you will continue to use your platform to advocate on behalf of all survivors. I encourage everyone to join you in that objective. As I said before, a victim is not a number, every victim is a fellow human being.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I hope we will each leave here re-inspired by the story shared in this new book. Let its message call us all to action. Whether as political leaders or as community members; whether as newsmakers or law enforcers; and whether as business leaders or consumers; each of us must play a part in wiping out human trafficking.
Let us indeed work towards having ‘the last girl’ to face the horrors of trafficking.
I thank you for your attention.