2004 Press Releases

Action to End Trafficking in Persons

Bratislava, June 15, 2004

To inspire greater determination, creativity, and cooperation among governments in the fight against modern-day slavery, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday (June 14) released the fourth annual "Trafficking in Persons Report" at the State Department in Washington.

Slovakia was rated in Tier 2 of the report, an indication that the country does not fully comply with the minimum standards to eliminate trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.

"Criminals and criminal networks are targeting some of the most vulnerable people in countries around the world," said former U.S. Rep. John Miller, who leads U.S. government efforts against human trafficking. "We're reaching out in the spirit of partnership to encourage all governments to accelerate efforts to end this atrocity and protect people from human trafficking schemes."

Trafficking in persons involves victims who are often forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The U.S. government estimates 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked in this manner across national borders each year. Of those, 47 percent are women, 34 percent are girls under the age of 18, and 16 percent are boys under the age of 18 - meaning more than 80 percent of victims are female and 50 percent are children.

Millions more are thought to be trafficked within country borders worldwide.

The U.S. devoted more than $70 million to programs abroad to combat trafficking in persons in the last fiscal year, and, in his address to the U.N. General Assembly in September, President Bush committed an additional $50 million in anti-Trafficking in Persons U.S. spending abroad this year.

The fight against human trafficking is attracting worldwide attention because trafficking threatens human rights, public health, and the safety and security of nations.

The 140-country Trafficking in Persons Report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its purpose is to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

The efforts of governments to fight human trafficking are rated in tiers in the report based on concrete actions taken throughout the year. The standards used to determine these ratings can be found in the 2004 report at http://www.state.gov/g/tip.

Fact Sheet on Trafficking: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/33109.htm.