Bangkok--21 Mar--Total Quality PR
R Zarni hosts new documentary film, Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special, produced by MTV EXITin partnership with Myanmar Government, USAID, AusAID and ASEAN
MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) today announced the release of a new documentary film entitledEnslaved: An MTV EXIT Special, hosted by popular rockstar, R Zarni. The educational documentary film is produced by MTV EXIT in partnership with the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons (CBTIP), Ministry of Home Affairs, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Australian Government Aid Program (AusAID), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking in Myanmar.
Human trafficking is a crime that affects 2.5 million people worldwide. Of those, more than half are living in or are from Asia and the Pacific. Many are lured by false promises offering opportunities of a better life for themselves and their families.Criminals earn an estimated US$ 10 billion every year through the buying and selling of human beings, where victims are forced, defrauded, or coerced them into various forms of forced labor, or sex work.
Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special, documents the real-life experiences of people involved in the trafficking chain. Three brave survivors tell of theirharrowing experiences: Kyi Kyi, a woman trafficked to China for marriage; Ko Min, a man trafficked onto a fishing boat in Thailand; and Vatsana, a woman sold by a friend to carry out domestic labour for over 10 years with no pay in Thailand. As the host of the program, R Zarni connects these real-life stories to the audiences and their communities, whilst demonstrating how young people can protect themselves and their families from being trafficked. Compelling interviews from law enforcement officer Pol. Maj. Omma Rangmi and local anti-trafficking hero Ms. Kathy Shein illustrate what is being done to combat human trafficking within Myanmar and the existing stigma surrounding this critical social issue.
Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special follows the successful broadcast of the previous MTV EXIT documentary film, Traffic,on MRTV-4 in 2009. Traffic was hosted by MTV EXIT’s first celebrity ambassador to Myanmar, Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein.
“The MTV EXIT campaign seeks to give audiences a real and rare glimpse into the issue of modern slavery. We are thrilled to have R Zarni’s support to lend his voice to amplify the awareness of this horrendous crime,” said Matt Love, MTV EXIT Campaign Director. “Young people are most vulnerable and being informed is the first step to protecting themselves. Our partnership with the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, USAID, AusAid, and ASEAN plays an important role in protecting the youth in Myanmar through innovative educational and awareness programs.”
R Zarni said, “This is a serious issue affecting my country. I am very excited to be part ofthe MTV EXIT campaign as the celebrity ambassador to Myanmar. I hope by lending mysupport, I will be able to help raise awareness on this critical social issue across the nation. I am proud of this collaboration and would like to encourage everyone to join me in the fight to end human trafficking and exploitation in Myanmar.”
Pol. Brig. Gen. Khin Maung Si, Joint Secretary of CBTIP, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar said, “Myanmar views trafficking in persons as a grave issue confronting humankind. Myanmar has been seriously tackling the issue through a comprehensive framework that includes enactment of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, a five-year National Plan of Action, the formation of national institutions such as the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, three Working Groups and anti-trafficking bodies at every level, establishment of an Anti-Trafficking Unit and Task Forces, and enhancement of bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation.”
“The U.S. Government is proud to support MTV EXIT’s efforts throughout Asia to raise awareness and fight human trafficking, in partnership with ASEAN and governments around the region,” said Charg? D’affaires Michael Thurston of the U.S. Embassy in Yangon. “This documentary film will potentially reach millions of young people in this country, helping to protect them from the dangers of human trafficking.”
H.E. Ms Bronte Moules, the Australian Ambassador to Myanmar said, “The risk of being trafficked is very real for far too many people living in Myanmar. It remains a source and transit country for this crime, with people trafficked for cheap labour, domestic servitude, and into the sex industry, including forced marriages. Therefore, Australia is a proud supporter of the MTV EXIT campaign and is working closely with Myanmar, the United States, and ASEAN on this issue of shared international concern.”
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary-General said, “The ASEAN Secretariat welcomes the timely launch of MTV EXIT program in Myanmar and is confident that the program will reach the Youth of Myanmar andraise their awareness on the danger and tactics of the perpetrators. Through collective efforts from the Members of ASEAN, reinforced by regional campaigns such as MTV EXIT, the eradication of trafficking in persons can be made possible”.
MTV EXIT campaign will continue to expand in Myanmar through mass media broadcasts, local events and activities. Enslaved: An MTV EXIT Special will premiere on MRTV and MRTV-4 this March 2012.
For more details about human trafficking and exploitation in Asia, visit www.mtvexit.org/myanmar or follow MTV EXIT on www.facebook.com/mtvexit.