WASHINGTON (AP):
JAMAICA HAS been listed among 89 countries which the United States State Department accuses of being involved in the trafficking of humans.
The United States has threatened sanctions against all countries involved, according to a report released this week. The Gleaner was unable to get a response from Government spokesmen last night.
Republican Chris Smith, who sponsored legislation requiring the report, said for the first time, countries that do not take actions to stop human trafficking could face the loss of US assistance, though the Government can waive any penalties. The sanctions would take effect October 1.
Jamaica is among 74 countries which, while not meeting the required standards, were deemed to be making "significant efforts" to stop the practice.
SANCTIONS LOOM
The top 15, including US allies Greece and Turkey, are likely to be slapped with sanctions unless they take steps to eliminate the trade in humans before the October deadline.
The other countries facing sanctions include Belize, Burma, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Haiti, Liberia, North Korea, Sudan, Suriname and Uzbekistan.
According to the State Department report, the number of countries cited this year is lower than the 19 accused last year of not doing enough to prevent people from being taken to other countries against their will.
The report noted that the United States was not immune from the problem; the Government estimates that 800,000 to 900,000 people are trafficked annually across international borders worldwide, with 18,000 to 20,000 winding up in the United States.
UNDUE CREDIT
Yesterday, Human Rights Watch criticised the report, saying it failed to meaningfully evaluate governments' efforts to combat trafficking in persons.
"The report gives undue credit for minimal effort and ignores Government practices, such as summary deportation and incarceration that effectively punish trafficking victims," the New York-based group said.
Human trafficking, or the smuggling of migrants, has been increasing throughout the world in recent years, owing to globalisation and other factors. The problem is said to be exacerbated, in both size and seriousness, by the growing involvement of organised criminal groups.
Last month, a Jamaican Tyrone Williams of Schenectady, New York was arrested in Texas, after 18 suspected illegal immigrants, including an infant, suffocated in the back of his semi-trailer.
