2006 Press Releases 

Secretary Rice Releases Annual Trafficking In Person Report

Bratislava, June 6, 2006

Slovakia Removed From Watch List

The U.S. government's annual Trafficking in Persons Report has moved Slovakia off of the "Watch List," noting that in the past year, Slovakia has showed greater political will to combat human trafficking, made notable efforts to increase its law enforcement efforts, and taken additional steps to improve victim assistance and protection.

The 158-country report, which was officially released by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice June 5 in Washington, is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, which is a form of modern-day slavery. Its purpose is to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

In 2005, the Slovak Republic was included on the "Special Watch List" because it had not shown evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons in previous years.

This year, the country report on Slovakia highlights the creation of a national working group on trafficking in persons and the appointment of a National Coordinator. The group is responsible for implementing the country's first National Action Plan on trafficking, which was approved in January.

U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic Rodolphe M. Vallee congratulated the Slovak Republic on its efforts, and said that the course charted by Slovakia's National Action Plan and the efforts of its National Coordinator are an important part of the global effort to eradicate this form of modern-day slavery.

"This year's TIP Report recognizes Slovakia's substantial efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons," he said. "I look forward to further cooperation between our Embassy and Slovakia in this worthy cause. To address this problem fully, Slovakia should ensure that the National Action Plan is fully funded, and that the National Coordinator is given adequate institutional resources to implement the plan. I am optimistic that the government of Slovakia, in working closely with NGOs and other international partners, can continue to make great progress in this fight."

More information, including the full text of the Trafficking in Persons Report, is available at http://www.state.gov/g/tip