On the Release of U.S. Annual Trafficking in Persons Report
As prepared for delivery by Political Counselor Gregory Macris
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 5, 2018
I would like to draw everyone’s attention to the release of the 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 28.
The theme of the 2018 TIP Report is, “Local Solutions to a Global Problem: Supporting Communities in the Fight against Human Trafficking.” Local communities feel some of the greatest impact and consequences of human trafficking. Their stake in keeping their communities safe and their familiarity with local human trafficking trends make them powerful and necessary forces in the fight against modern slavery.
The Report highlights key strategies and challenges to building a community-based approach and the opportunities national governments have to facilitate partnerships with local governments and communities.
Final tier ranking decisions are based on the requirements of U.S. law, as provided in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
A country’s tier ranking reflects the State Department’s assessment of foreign government efforts during the reporting period to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons established under the TVPA. The Department strives to make the Report as accurate and objective as possible, documenting the successes and shortcomings of government anti-trafficking efforts.
Our goal is to ensure that the annual TIP Report is a thorough and objective assessment, and officials across the Department work year-round to this end.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
