Countries React to 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report

The U.S. Department of State's 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report came out this week, to much international interest. The report ranks countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, from Tier 1 (highest) to Tier 3 (lowest), and is used by the U.S. as a diplomatic tool. Here are some of the responses, both positive and negative, from some of the countries ranked in the report:

Cuba: Cuba's foreign ministry spokesperson issued a strongly worded statement against the report, referring to it as "shameful slander," "false and disrespectful," and "can only be explained by the desperate need the U.S. government has to justify...the persistence of its cruel policy of (economic) embargo." Stating that "sexual trafficking of minors does not exist in Cuba," the spokesperson added that Cuba has some of the most advanced standards and mechanisms in the region for preventing and combating human trafficking. Cuba was placed in Tier 3.

Vietnam: According to the Thanh Nien News, the foreign ministry spokesperson for Vietnam stated that the report "contains political characteristics and unjust comments that fail to reflect the real situation in Vietnam." Vietnam was placed in Tier 2.

Guyana: The Guyanese Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon reportedly called the report "most superficial, unproven, the dirtiest kind of information collected...." Guyana was placed in Tier 2.

Nigeria: Nigeria was placed in Tier 1 this year. Executive Secretary Barrister Simon Chuzi Egede acknowledged the accomplishment, but reportedly "stressed the need for all involved in this fight to be mindful of the fact that the battle is far from being won, because the enemies of the Nigerian children are ever ready to deploy their arsenals of assault through any loophole either real or imagined."

Jamaica: Says one writer from Jamaica, "I find it counterproductive for the U.S. to stand in judgement of the world when the very evil it purports to eradicate is happening in abundance in its backyard. I find the report to be contradictory for how is the U.S. any different from Jamaica in that it is not fully compliant but is making 'significant' efforts to eliminate human trafficking." Jamaica was placed in Tier 2.

Thailand: Thailand has expressed its disappointment in the TIP report; Thailand's foreign affairs deputy spokesperson Thani Thongphakdi reportedly stated that "Thailand doubts the credibility of the U.S. report because this came out despite our efforts to provide further updates [on the country's measures to handle the problem] to the US that were seen throughout the year." Thailand was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List.

Fiji: Fiji moved to the Tier 2 Watch List, up from Tier 3 last year, which has given it hope that the government's application for a $1 billion loan will be approved by the International Monetary Fund. While Fiji was on the Tier 3 list, U.S. members on the IMF board would apparently have been required to vote against the loan.

United Arab Emirates: In response to the report, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stated that the UAE "welcomes recognition of the country's anti-trafficking efforts, constructive criticism as well as collaborative efforts. The UAE is aware that several challenges still lie ahead, and we are committed to continuing our efforts alongside our international partners." The UAE was upgraded from the Tier 2 Watch List last year, to Tier 2 this year.