Human trafficking-Sex slavery. File Photo. Google images.
Human trafficking is, as per experts, a form of modern slavery, a growing industry, and it can happen to anyone. An annual worldwide estimate of 12.3 million adults and children are forced into labor, bonded labor and prostitution, and 56 percent of those are women and girls.
For the first time in 10 years, the United States has been included in the Trafficking in Persons Report, an annual review performed by the Department of State, about the global efforts to eliminate the trade in human beings and sexual slavery, according to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards.
"We believe it is important to keep the spotlight on ourselves," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in presenting the report on Monday. "Human trafficking is not someone else's problem. Involuntary servitude is not something we can ignore or hope doesn't exist in our own communities."
The report recognizes human trafficking as a U.S. domestic problem, but states the country is fully complying with all minimum standards, placing it in the top "Tier 1" category, within 27 other mainly European nations.
During the presentation, Clinton added that behind any statistics of the report "are the struggles of real human beings, the tears of families who may never see their children again, the despair and indignity of those suffering under the worst forms of exploitation."
The study which reviewed compliance in 177 countries, placed 58 of them –including Switzerland, on a "watch list," which could lead to sanctions unless their records improve. The “Tier 2” group includes nations which aren't fully compliant but are working toward improvement.
According to the screening, a total of 13 countries do not comply with minimum international standards and could face U.S. penalties. Such list includes Iran, North Korea, Cuba and Myanmar. These countries have been placed in the "Tier 3" group. The failing grade was also given to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Kuwait, Mauritania, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
Within the findings of the 2010 report, is that 104 countries don't have laws, policies or regulations to protect or prevent victims from being deported. Although the U.S. has enacted legislation to safeguard victims, more needs to be done. In our state, California Against Slavery (CAS) has taken on the challenge of advocating for tougher legislation and promoting a ballot initiative to strengthen human trafficking laws and increase trafficking victims' rights. The deadline to collect 600,000 signatures is today, June 15, 2010.
CAS will additionally host a rally in Sacramento, at the State Capitol on June 28th. The rally will start at Raley Field at 9:45 a.m. The group will march to the State Capitol West Steps at 10 a.m. The protest will feature speakers, musical performances, and visits to the offices of California legislators.
For more info:
Please visit the California Against Slavery site.
or directly Contact:
Daphne Phung
Executive Director and Founder of California Against Slavery
info@californiaagainstslavery.org
(510) 473-7283
http://www.CaliforniaAgainstSlavery.org
California Against Slavery
P.O. Box 7057
Fremont, CA 94537
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