U.S. downgrades Russia, China for anti-trafficking efforts
Russia and China were downgraded to bottom tier nations for their efforts to fight human trafficking, by a U.S. government report.
In the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, China and Russia were relegated to Tier 3 - the lowest of four rankings which names countries whose governments do not fully comply with minimum anti-trafficking standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
The classification includes countries like Iran, North Korea and Zimbabwe, and Tier 3 countries are open to sanctions from the U.S. government.
In 2008, the U.S. Congress put a limit on the number of years a country could remain ranked as Tier 2 Watch without concrete signs of action. After that limit is reached there is an automatic downgrade.
China was Tier 2 Watch for eight years and Russia was on the list for nine.
Tier 2 Watch is the third-ranked grouping which identifies governments that do not fully comply with minimum standards, are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance - but face increasing trafficking problems.
Tier 1 countries fully comply with the minimum anti-trafficking standards and Tier 2 countries do not fully comply but are making significant efforts to reach those standards.
The TIP Report ranks nations on efforts to fight trafficking, not just the number of trafficking issues a nations faces.
CNN's Jim Clancy said initial reaction from the anti-trafficking groups were calling this year's report "tough but fair."
Just Dillion, CEO of Made in a Free World, said: "Speaking truthfully about the modern-day slavery situation in countries that have diplomatic and economic importance to us in other areas, proves that we can commit on things that we all agree on. Living up to our laws and shared values is a universal responsibility."
Russia and China have not yet offered an official response to the downgrading.
China was named as a source, transit and destination for trafficked people from all over the world, while its own citizens also risk being trapped in forced labor abroad.
The TIP Report says state-sponsored forced labor also takes place in re-education camps.
Criminal gangs ship Chinese women and girls abroad, the report says. It also says Chinese women and girls can be trafficked domestically for sex; and others are imported into the country from neighboring countries.
It adds that "despite modest signs of interest in anti-trafficking reforms the Chinese government did not demonstrate significant efforts to comprehensively prohibit and punish all forms of trafficking and to prosecute traffickers.
"The government continued to perpetuate human trafficking in at least 320 state-run institutions, while helping victims of human trafficking in only seven. The government also did not report providing comprehensive victim protection services to domestic or foreign, male or female victims of trafficking."
It recommends China improve its anti-trafficking laws and its record for prosecuting traffickers including government officials who allegedly help traffickers. The report also says China's efforts to help the victims was inadequate with just seven centers for trafficking victims.
Russia, was also identified by the TIP Report as a source, transit and destination country for trafficked people.
But the report says Russia's biggest problem is labor trafficking with an estimated one million people working in exploitative conditions. It adds that prosecutions are low compared to estimates of the problem.
Russia's efforts amounted to a publishing a brochure and establishing a committee which has not yet met, the report says. It also criticizes Russia's efforts to prevent trafficking and prosecute traffickers.
It recommends Russia develop national procedures for law enforcement and other officials so they can identify and act on trafficking suspicions.
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I'm a Chinese and we have big slave problem in China.
Sure you are Chinese. Watching news on China does not make you a Chinese. What "big" "slave" problem? care to elaborate??
Note: working for minimum wages does not make them slave. It makes them poor, yes.
Umm, you're incredibly defensive and don't really make sense. China does have a slave problem.
An Observer - you sure are one to jump on others about there comments - Perhaps you need to chill out a hint, angry dude.
China and Russia both traffic in slaves from North Korea, not to mention slaves from within China and slaves trafficked from Eastern European and Central Asian nations.
The United States is a hypocrite in so many ways, but that in no way takes away from what is a very real problem. My guess if that you're either Chinese or Russian or of Chinese or Russian decent (my guess would be Chinese from your comments) and that you are feeling personally insulted by comments about your nation. I can understand that, but that doesn't excuse you being wilfully blind to what is a very real problem that impacts literally millions of people across the globe.
China and Russia aren't the only nations that are failing to take appropriate action to stop human trafficking and slavery. There are major problems in the Middle East, in Eastern Europe, in South America, In South Asia, in South-East Asia, and in North America. But China and Russia are two very large nations and as a result their lack of action has a massive impact. To deny that because of nationalistic pride is to aid those who trade in human life and makes you little better than they are.
Eben....Can you define Eastern Europe? As many Central European countries are confused with Eastern Europe and people from countries like the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia are definitely not shipped overseas for slavery as they are 1st world, developed and quite wealthy.
@Jim have you been there and saw the wealth yourself or just another assumption because you have One of these countries roots! so how come we have an Airplane coming full of czech immigrants each Week? there is as much trafficking in these countries as much as China, Russia and the central Asia and South America! and Yes I was there and seen it all.
@ Safe haven a plain of full Czech immigrants? Perhaps in your dream. Why is it so difficult for you to accept the fact that the Czech Republic is a 1st world developed country? Does it makes you jealous or mad ? Have you ever been to Czech Republic? I have been there and yes it's a very wealthy nation. You can easily google it out! The country is a OECD member (The most industrialized countries in the world), possesses High Income Economy with a GDP per capita of 80% of the European Union average, 15th best education in the world, it ranks 28th place in Human Developed Index (UK is 27th), 13th by the Global Peace Index, 34 best place in the world in terms of quality of life (UK 29th, USA 13th) and 35th richest country in the world (Right behind New Zealand and Italy). So I gave you FACTS and NUMBERS not some uneducated, backward xenophobic assumptions that you spit on this forum!
Also according to statistics Net migration in the Czech Republic is POSITIVE as in most of the Western World which means more people come to the country than leave! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Net_migration_rate_world.PNG so where are your planes full of Czech Immigrants when in fact there are more people coming in to the Czech Republic.
The Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index – Czech Republic – 13th place in the world
The Czech Republic ranks in the top 10 countries worldwide with the fastest average internet speed
he Czech Republic is ranked 30th in the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom.
@Jim
Unlike you I was there, I am half German I visited most Europe including Czech republic, if your sources is Wikipedia, then sorry to say, you are an ignorant!
Stone The Woman!:
"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;" (Deuteronomy 22:22)
"Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you." (Deuteronomy 22:24)
I just read the news on China local website and content of CNN and China Sohu is almost the same.
If there is no demand for slavery, there would be no supply. One cannot blame China and Russia for supplying slave labor but not blame the countries that accept the slave labor with open arms.
I completely agree!
There are millions of migrants from the former southern Soviet republics who move to Russia, live in ghettos without any rights and serve as a cheap labor. The question is: why do they do that?
When Soviet Union fell apart with the applause of all western media, which made it sound that those southern republics were "liberated", what really happened there with Russian influence gone was a complete reverse to dark middle ages. There are no jobs, no prospects in life, and one can literally get killed for not bowing down to the passing Khan. Human rights? Oh who cares, since US has military bases in some of these republics, thats a former Soviet territory – huge geopolitical win. So those poor guys fleeing into Russia from their "liberated" homeland find it better in cold cold northern country with cheap jobs, no rights – because even that miserable life is much better than the "freedom" from Soviet yoke which they gained according to western media.
I agree. I have seen it. The CIS countries have been taken over by Soviet style dictators and large parts of the population live in poverty. Many girls from the CIS countries end up in the Middle East & Far East where passports are confiscated and they are forced to work in the 'recreation' industry until they cost more than they can bring it. They are then dumped.
I find China so disgusting. There is nothing appealing about the place. Why would one want to visit it?
Then don't go. And keep your disgust to yourself instead of spreading it. Good idea.
The truth of it is - I just saw a clip of them smuggling dogs - having them stuffed in a cage without a way of moving. It was like a ball of gummy worms - Also watched some footage of how they treat N. Korean refugee's that try to escape. And, they send them back. I know this is just a subset of the population....So, the comment was a bit harsh. Never the less, it will surely not be a place I shall go to....
So much hate and anger. Why not take your own advice and chill out little guy.
Crouch on your tiny bed in your confined room and spread hate over the Internet. That's all you can do. Pathetic.
A political hack job on China and Russia that the US is never tired of. Being poor creates its own basket of problems. Just carping on China and Russia does not make poverty go away. yes, US is perfect, no massive child abusing going on, no abuse of women either, and poor people do not live in tent cities.
I have one word for america: SHAMELESS. everything else i say is a pure waste of my spit.
O.K., sanctions time! Let's cut off all trade with China.
Don't forget to down grade this country for terrorists threats...
I wonder under what Tier the U.S. falls. it's easy to criticized somebody's tale without looking at your own which can be equal or worst.
US likes to play God!
US report means nothing to the world. How about Human rights of Edwards Snowden?
Unfortunately food, drink and women are part of the business recreation culture in both Russia and China. It is more or less expected when doing business in both countries.
It is hard to change a culture.
Caucasus is to Russia what Mexico is to the US.
I'm not denying Russia or China have problems, I'm a European and we have problems too, but I am just so sick and itred now of American finger-pointing at countries who won't dance exactly like the US want them to, it's all so apparent it's getting ridiculous. Syria is a good example.
So, dear US government, deal with your Mexicans (for example) first, and we in the outside world may take you serious.
+1
The timing of this report is a bit interesting. Now that the US no longer bash China/Russia over cyber-espionage, the US must rely on more traditional messages to apply political pressure.
Stone The Woman!:
"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;" (Deuteronomy 22:22)
"Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you." (Deuteronomy 22:24)
Stone The Woman!:
"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;" (Deuteronomy 22:22).
"Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you." (Deuteronomy 22:24)
Virgin's Worth
"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silvers, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days." (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)
Medical care not to know whether you do China and Russian what
The US should stop releasing these reports. When it comes to Russia and China, the US opinion has zero credibility and only makes matters worse for these countries relations.
100%, US credibility has hit ZERO relevance for some years by now...
But they KEEP believing they are CHOSEN BY GOD to RATE people DOWN to keep at the top...
Where is Saudi Arab in the list?
Shushhhhh the Saudi's have oil. They also go to Dubai, Bahrain, Thailand, Tashkent and Dushanbe for their 'girls'. If you are looking at the abuse of foreign labor then most Gulf states are guilty.
But guess what.......................they have oil too.
why do American government always feel they are perfect. We also have slavery in American and American is the most corrupt Nation in the world. They have targed life sperm of africans to 0 to 59 years but African do die at a reasonable age of 90 to 100. Americans are very good at degrading coutries just to remain at the top. The reports from America should not give any body headache as American should not detect for everyone. They will only want peace with lips but the actual truth is American state love it so much when country is in distress so that they will supply weapons as that is the only internation trade they can do. God will punish you people very soon for the atrocities you guys have committed in this world.
American ARROGANCE dictates the pace....
They fell EMPOWERED and with God given rights to RATE everyone...
No wonder extremists from all over the planet queue up to give their lives for an opportunity to blast their obese assees out to hell!
There is such a problem in Russia, but slavery conditional. But how do negotiate if the illegals who are in slavery do not come in contact with the police? Illegals are afraid of deportation of more than slavery. The only thing Russia can do to tighten border controls to reduce the number of illegal immigrants. Constantly struggle with illegal migration, which is the best combating slavery. But how the U.S. is going to help Russia in this is not clear, especially sanctions.
Why Ohio has not been downgraded? Every other story from the Buckeye State is about some geezers enslaving random people.
Obviously just another political move against Russia and China, how about South America (go to Spain and see how the brothels full of women from Poland, SA and more), Italy (full of African and Ukrainian and Romanian women), central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan etc...), ME (Dubai, Lebanon etc..) Mexico or East Europe, like Ukraine, Czech and the list goes on!!
I know where is Spain, so just to shut the smart arsses I meant Spain brothels full of women from South America.
America STILL believes they own the world and thus have the right to RATE other nations...
Americans are deeply deluded to say the least!
The people of this world DOWNGRADES America for starting UNNECESSARY WARS all over the place and DIRECTLY cause HUMAN CATASTROPHES everywhere they go...
The WORLD DOWNGRADES America for arming and financing TERRORISTS that are causing another HUMAN CATASTROPHE in the Middle East...
The WORLD DOWNGRADES Americas LIAR-in-CHIEF for STEALING private data from people ALL OVER THE WORLD with NO CONSENT!
How many trillions of dollars does USA owe to China??? Pay them now and let's see who is who?? 🙂
I'm sorry, little the US says, or criticiies others for saying or doing, has any credibility so long as it imprisons anyone who has not been charged, or convicted, at Guantanamo. Or prosecutes someone like Manning who shoe but a small light on the atrocities perpetrated by US forces.
"U.S. downgrades Russia, China for anti-trafficking efforts"
Oh, go to hell, U.S.
You have your people as a whole and in parts put in
sheep pens with the illusion of sugar walls. Who the hell
are you to 'judge' jack~
if you wanna chek trafiking..look into arab world....see how russian woman or asian fell themselves with the arabs for their oil money and pleasure.later discarded....it is really weird that the govt of these countries are not dealing this prob seriously.
USA is the worst countrie in the world in a lot of things buy hipocrisy is proberbly one of the thing they are worst at.
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