Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General Michael Klosson

Statement by U.S. Consul General Michael Klosson on the discovery of illegal migrants in shipping container

October 19, 2000

I would like to commend the Hong Kong authorities for their diligence and good law enforcement work in discovering and apprehending the illegal migrants found yesterday in a shipping container bound for the U.S. We appreciate the ongoing efforts by the Hong Kong law enforcement authorities, shipping firms and container companies to crack down on this deplorable trade in human beings.

The smuggling of migrants to other countries is a global problem; it is not confined to any one port. It can be fought only through good cooperation among the law enforcement agencies in the sending, transit, and receiving countries. We are fortunate to enjoy this kind of good cooperation here in Hong Kong.

The young men found yesterday in the shipping container have been saved from a risky and perhaps life-threatening voyage and a life of indentured servitude to criminal "snakeheads." We must expect that the criminal gangs who prey on people's hopes and desperation will continue to try various means to smuggle people across borders. This problem thus calls for sustained vigilance. We appreciate the Hong Kong government's pledge to continue to take vigorous action against this inhuman trade.

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