New Report on Trafficking Brings Attention to Much Needed Laws in the US
There are some 27 million slaves in the world today, making the already horrendous crime one one of the There is no corner of the world untouched by this unspeakable crime, which preys mostly on women and children.
The United States has taken the issues with the utmost seriousness, and over the last 8 years has worked to establish effective laws to protect victims and prosecute their offenders. Sadly the road to end modern day slavery isn’t short, not will the ratification of one law change the fate of some 27 million people across the globe, however with each law we are one step closer to ending the the worlds biggest crime against humanity.
The first major step for the US came with the enactment of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, and has since forth been followed with the; Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003, Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005
In addition to the enactment of specialized laws related to human trafficking and modern day slavery the US State Department has now issued a total of seven congressionally mandated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report’s, the latest the, 2007 TIP Report was issued on June 12, 2007. The US State Departments Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP), which is led by Ambassador Mark P. Lagon, issues the TIP report and assists in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts within the US and worldwide, are a direct response to the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.
While the United States has taken a number of steps towards the abolition of modern day slavery, there are a number of steps which are left to be taken. A number of bills with trafficking-related provisions currently find themselves floating around the Congressional floor. Such bills include; The implementation of the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007, which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide specified funding and administrative support to strengthen the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007, which was approved by the House on December 4, 2007 by a vote of 405-2, and would, among other provisions, reauthorize anti-trafficking programs until 2011, as well as amend the criminal code and immigration law related to human trafficking. The Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery Act, would create a Commission for the evaluation and make recommendations on, all current U.S. anti-slavery efforts and their effectiveness, including antitrafficking in persons programs. Trafficking in Persons Accountability Act of 2007, approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 20, 2007, would create additional jurisdiction in U.S. courts for trafficking offenses occurring in other countries.
The next step down the road to freedom was taken on January 10, 2008, with a new report which was issued by the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the report examines trends in human trafficking and U.S. policy in several different regions of the world. The report highlights several areas of concern, including the accuracy of statistical data on the numbers of victims, and brings attention to the various bills waiting for Congresses approval. The report looks at the following key Policy Issues; How to Collect Data and Measure Success, Credibility of TIP Rankings, Sanctions: A Useful Tool?, Equal Focus on all Types of Trafficking?, Debates Regarding Prostitution and Trafficking, and Issues Concerning Immigration Relief for Trafficking Victims.
One can only hope that reports like this will bring much needed attention to the severity of the issue of human trafficking, and will enable the US to see a dramatic increase in the protection of victims and awareness of the issues in 2008.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
While it is great that the USG is making efforts in terms of forcing policy changes what most people do not realize is that without street level intelligence which shows whether policy is being enforced it is all for nothing. I get sick when I consider the millions of dollars that are spent to get countries to change laws and only to be on the streets where it is blatant that the laws were changed but only to appease our govt.
There needs to be a duel effort with changed laws combined with street efforts. We are currently in Verzcruz on a rescue mission of 80 children many younger than 12…Mexico changed their laws to appease us but do very little to enforce those laws.