BEIRUT: U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly called Tuesday for increased human trafficking protections in Lebanon.

Speaking at a private screening of the new movie “Lincoln,” which details President Abraham Lincoln’s work to end slavery in the United States, Connelly praised laws Lebanon has passed to protect people from trafficking, but said more could be done.

“To combat trafficking I would encourage the Lebanese government to build on the important work it has done to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses, [and] to convict and punish trafficking offenders,” she said.

Connelly emphasized that it is important that maids and women on artist visas receive protection. Although Law 164, passed several years ago, criminalized human trafficking, there are still frequent reports of beaten domestic workers and women unable to leave the country.