Pompeo releases TIP report, US pledges half a billion dollar to fight trafficking globally

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Thursday released Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, and said that America has "always stood" in defence of human rights "like or nation". Speaking at a briefing, Pompeo said, as many as 25 million ults and children are victims of labour and sex trafficking worldwide.

“ desecration of inherent value and immeasurable worth of human beings and for each of us human beings in face of God makes human trafficking a truly wicked act,” he said.

Pompeo ded that along years, United States has always protected human rights like or nation. Trump ministration's efforts in eliminating human trafficking is a part of country’s ble trition, he said.

RE | Pompeo Says US, EU Working To Resume Trans-Atlantic Travel

Breakdown of Trafficking in Persons report

TIP report is divided into Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-2 watchlist and Tier-3 categories. countries whose governments fully meet minimum standards for elimination of trafficking under TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) are ranked in Tier-1 category.

Countries whose governments do t fully meet minimum standards of TVPA but are making significant efforts to opt those standards are categorised as Tier-2. Nations whose governments do t fully meet minimum standards and are t making substantial efforts towards it are listed under Tier-3.

Pompeo said that US denied assistance to certain countries that were ranked in Tier-3 category, which marks lowest designation in TIP report.

RE | US Makes Top Pledge At Conference To Bolster Aid To Sudan

US pledges half a billion dollars

" Trump ministration has ensured that nearly half a billion dollars is dedicated to fighting both sex and labour trafficking globally," Secretary of State said.

As many as 22 countries have received an upgre in TIP report, of which 13 countries belong to Sub-Saharan African region. Namibia is said to have received best Tier-1 rating, becoming first African country to do so since 2012.

"I would also want to recognise Singapore, newly recognised Tier-1 country and Bolivia for ir progress to increase convictions that identify victims among or significant improvements," Pompeo said.

RE | Pompeo Responds To China’s Threat, Says Trump ministration First To Take It ‘seriously’

US corners China over forced labour

top US diplomat also called out Tier-3 nations like China for its initiatives that force citizens to "work in horrendous conditions". Pompeo said that US would t support any government that allows "this kind of oppression" upon its citizens.

"We take government-sponsored trafficking very seriously. It is a perversion for any government's reason for existence to protect rights, t crush m. US will t stand by as any government with a policy of human trafficking subjects its own citizens to this kind of oppression," he stated.

He said that US would work to free victims of human trafficking and would punish persecutors.

RE | 'US Reviewing Its Global Force Posture To Counter Chinese Army's Threat To India': Pompeo

(With inputs from ncy)