July 27, 2015

CONTACT: Symone Sanders, ssanders@citizen.org; 202-454-5108

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

TODAY, 2:30 PM: Faith Leaders and Human Rights Advocates Respond to State Dept’s Upgrade of Malaysia in its Trafficking in Persons Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. –TODAY, Monday, July 27 at 2:30 PM, Faith leaders and human rights advocates will host a media conference call to respond to Malaysia’s upgrade from its Tier 3 ranking in the State Department’s Trafficking in Persons (TiP) report, released today. Since reports of the potential upgrade surfaced earlier in the month, human rights advocates in the U.S. and Malaysia responded with disbelief and outrage and 160 Representatives and 19 Senators sent bipartisan letters to Secretary of State Kerry, urging the State Department to not allow the TiP report to be manipulated simply to facilitate Malaysia’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  Congress barred fast track treatment for trade deals with countries with a Tier-3 designation in recent Fast Track legislation.

WHEN:

TODAY, Monday, July 27, 2015 at 2:30 PM

WHO:

Tom Andrews, President of United to End Genocide and former Member of Congress

Sister Simone Campbell, Executive Director, NETWORK

Reverend Dr. J Herbert Nelson, Director, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Office of Public Witness

Susan Greer Burton, Director of Women’s and Children’s Advocacy, United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society

Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch, Deputy Director –  Asia Division

WHAT:         Media Conference Call

CALL-IN:       1- 800-875-3456
Verbal Passcode (to be given to the operator): SAND11576

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