Today the U.S. State Department released the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), which evaluates the efforts of 188 countries to combat human trafficking. Based on a tier system, the TIP Report rates how each nation complies with minimum standards to end modern slavery. (Tier 1 as most compliant, through Tier 3 as the worst offender.)
Since its first publication in 2001, the TIP report has been issued annually, as required by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). This year’s report emphasizes the risk of human trafficking in supply chains and the prevention of forced labor and sexual exploitation in the global marketplace.
The report also includes the December 2014 interfaith declaration against human trafficking, a groundbreaking initiative led by Pope Francis:
In the eyes of God, each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman or man, and is destined to exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity. Modern slavery, in terms of human trafficking, forced labour and prostitution, organ trafficking, and any relationship that fails to respect the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity, is a crime against humanity.
Read the full 2015 TIP Report here.
Elaina Ramsey is the Women & Girls Campaign Director and chair of the Diversity Task Force at Sojourners.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!