Release of the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report
The annual U.S. report added Afghanistan and Nicaragua to the list of worst offenders while Saudi Arabia was upgraded, and Sophie Otiende is named as a 2020 TIP Report Hero for her work with Kenya’s trafficking victims.
Earlier today, the United States Department of State released the 2020 global Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
This release follows the marking of the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which serves as a cornerstone of victim protection.
‘It is a privilege to honor those leading the fight against human trafficking and our 2020 TIP report heroes,’ U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said as he presented the newly released document. This year’s report honors the work of 10 heroes from nine countries, including our colleague Sophie Otiende for her leadership in building Kenya’s victim assistance infrastructure and capacity while at HAART, and her unwavering efforts to raise awareness of human trafficking in local communities. She is currently the Africa Region Operations Manager at Liberty Shared and provides technical support to anti-trafficking organizations across Africa.
Congratulations Sophie, on this well deserved recognition!
The 2020 report ranks Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela and China, among several others, as Tier 3 countries. In particular, it highlights China’s treatment of their Uighur minority, many of whom are being forcibly moved from their homes or from mass detention camps to work under forced labour conditions in factories that supply major global brands. Afghanistan and Nicaragua were both downgraded to Tier 3 in this year’s report.
Hong Kong, alongside Pakistan, has been downgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List, on the grounds that it has failed to enact legislation to fully criminalize trafficking.
Saudi Arabia was upgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List. Only two weeks ago, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement with the Saudi Human Rights Commission to combat human trafficking in the kingdom.
The report also upgrades Bangladesh and South Africa from the Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 2.
In total, 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa received upgrades this year, including Namibia, which is the first and only African country to achieve Tier 1 status since 2012.
The 2020 report is now available online.
Share your news
Post your experiences from the field and initiatives to feature