June 30, 2016
The U.S. State Department published its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report today. At HU, we recognize the important role the TIP Report plays in driving awareness and action on behalf of all governments. Therefore, we join the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking in applauding Secretary of State John F. Kerry’s decision to downgrade Burma and Uzbekistan considering both countries’ failure to meaningfully address human trafficking.
However, we are disappointed and concerned to see the unwarranted upgrade of Thailand in this year’s report given that country’s limited progress to-date. Last month, field research supported by HU and the Freedom Fund found that despite new reforms being enacted, persistent gaps in regulation and enforcement remain, allowing for the exploitation of workers to continue.