Sep 22

Written by: host
9/22/2005 10:25 PM

The 2005 Trafficking in Persons report by the US State Department, included some of America’s closest allies in the Middle East as having major human trafficking problems and not making significant efforts to fight the crime. Countries listed in this “tier 3” category could face sanctions, including the cutting of certain forms of aid. President Bush decided yesterday, however, that he would waive financial sanctions on his closest ally Saudi Arabia, a country which continues to have huge problems with modern day slavery. The president also concluded that Bolivia, Jamaica, Qatar, Sudan, Togo and the United Arab Emirates had also made enough progress to avoid sanctions. Even political enemies such as Venezuela escaped full sanctions, receiving money to help with building a structure of multiparty politics. Even Cambodia was judged to be exempt from full sanctions, receiving some, although not full aid. That left Cuba, North Korea and Myanmar to be sanctioned in full. Darla Jordan, a State Department spokeswoman, was unable to explain why countries were being treated differently. \r\nAlthough the stigma of being labelled in the worst category of the report has stung some governments into actions, it would strengthen the case of the US State Department’s fight against human trafficking if consistent sanctions were applied to the worst offenders.\r\n

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