WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is making combating human trafficking a high precedence and on Thursday Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump unveiled the 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
The report ranks counties yearly on their efforts to cease human trafficking and locations them on one in all three tiers. Many tier three international locations should not in compliance with the Trafficking Protection Act.
Among this yr's tier three international locations are Iran and North Korea, which Pompeo identified in his speech. China additionally earned a tier three rating.
The focus of this yr's report is on methods native communities can tackle human trafficking and the way nationwide governments can help them.
"If we're going to win this fight, national government must empower local communities," Pompeo mentioned.
More than a dozen international locations in Africa improved their rating, and of the 48 included within the report, 14 have been upgraded. Other international locations Pompeo highlighted for his or her progress included Argentina, Bahrain and Estonia.
At the tip of the ceremony, Pompeo and Ivanka Trump acknowledged the TIP heroes of the yr with certificates.
"Today, as we release this year's TIP report, we reaffirm our mission and honor the heroes on the frontlines, who have dedicated their lives to fighting modern slavery in all its evil forms," Ivanka Trump mentioned in a assertion.
Pompeo is optimistic concerning the progress being made however made clear there's nonetheless a huge battle forward.
"There remains a great deal of work left to do," he warned. "We will not stop until human trafficking is a thing of the past."
Full assertion from Ivanka Trump:
"Over the past 18 months, this Administration has worked vigorously to combat human trafficking. The President signed into law landmark legislation to identify and prosecute traffickers and support victims domestically. Our Administration has also contributed to the launch of a global fund to address this horrific crime abroad. Today, as we release this year's TIP Report, we reaffirm our mission and honor the Heroes on the frontlines, who have dedicated their lives to fighting modern slavery in all its evil forms. We will not stop to partner with organizations and governments across the country and around the world to safeguard our communities and protect the innocent."