Ukrainian Eurovision winner Ruslana to back OSCE anti-trafficking campaign

KYIV, 5 July 2005 - Ukrainian singer Ruslana, the winner of the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, agreed to support the campaign against human trafficking at a meeting in Kyiv with Helga Konrad, the OSCE Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

"I have been looking for opportunities to make use of my popularity for the benefit of the European community," said Ruslana, who is already a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. "I am very grateful for the chance to join the anti-trafficking campaign and be involved in solving the pressing problem of human trafficking in Ukraine and in other European countries."

Helga Konrad said: "Ruslana's ability to reach the young people in Ukraine and beyond makes her an asset in helping raise awareness of the risks of human trafficking - this modern form of slavery."

Ruslana met OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Dimitrij Rupel, in Ljubljana earlier this year to discuss human trafficking.