Slavery Still a Problem
America has an ugly past in regards to slavery. Unfortunately, there are still major problems regarding slavery around the world. Today, the State department issued its annual report on the countries that are guilty of human trafficking violations.
According to CNN, the State Department included U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as "Tier 3" countries in their annual "Trafficking in Persons" report, which are defined as nations "whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards" set by American law and "are not making significant efforts to do so." Other countries on the list are Bolivia, Cambodia, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Sudan, Togo and Venezuela.
This is certainly no small problem. According to the report, "The State Department estimates that 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders against their will each year." The report goes on to say that "many of the victims are forced into prostitution, sweatshops, domestic labor, farm work or child armies."
As for penalties, "The United States could impose sanctions on these 14 countries, including the withholding of nonhumanitarian and nontrade-related assistance. The U.S. government also could oppose requests for assistance from international financial institutions."
The key in that last statement is could. The question is whether there is the level of concern and resolve to get serious and actually do something about it.
Read more about the report at the State Department website here.
HT: WorldMagBlog
According to CNN, the State Department included U.S. allies Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as "Tier 3" countries in their annual "Trafficking in Persons" report, which are defined as nations "whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards" set by American law and "are not making significant efforts to do so." Other countries on the list are Bolivia, Cambodia, Cuba, Ecuador, Jamaica, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Sudan, Togo and Venezuela.This is certainly no small problem. According to the report, "The State Department estimates that 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders against their will each year." The report goes on to say that "many of the victims are forced into prostitution, sweatshops, domestic labor, farm work or child armies."
As for penalties, "The United States could impose sanctions on these 14 countries, including the withholding of nonhumanitarian and nontrade-related assistance. The U.S. government also could oppose requests for assistance from international financial institutions."
The key in that last statement is could. The question is whether there is the level of concern and resolve to get serious and actually do something about it.
Read more about the report at the State Department website here.
HT: WorldMagBlog
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/06/2005 11:00:00 AM
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1 Comments:
It is amazing how galantly the US seeks to legislate morality around the world all the while refusing to take such staunch stands about issues of morality here at home!
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