In a recent development, the U.S. State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report has identified 13 governments that are complicit in state-sponsored human trafficking. Each of the 13 governments identified has been classified as a “Tier 3” offender; meaning, they have been found to engage in forced labor practices, exploiting its citizens through state-sponsored labor export programs.
The thirteen countries identified by the U.S. State Department are: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Turkmenistan.
Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State commented in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report saying, “Digital tools have amplified the reach, scale, and speed of trafficking. They use online platforms to sell illicit sexual content. They leverage encrypted messaging and digital currencies to evade detection.”
Identifying the governments who are active participants in the human trafficking epidemic is imperative to begin to find a solution according to Ambassador at-Large Cindy Dyer. She commented on the report saying, “Unfortunately, some governments are part of the problem.”
Dyer emphasized the importance of governments identifying the problem, specifically in the migrant communities. Dyer explained, “We encourage governments to prevent trafficking and prioritize screening among migrants, who often assume debts to pay migrant smugglers and are then vulnerable to trafficking when they are unable to repay the money.”
In response to these findings, the State Department emphasizes the need for international cooperation and stronger enforcement mechanisms to combat human trafficking. The United States follows the 3P Model: Prosecution, Protection, and Prevention when it comes to human trafficking.
