Today, the U.S. State Department issued its annual “Trafficking in Persons Report” to raise awareness on the prevalence of human trafficking across U.S. borders and around the world. In remarks at the report’s release, Secretary of State John Kerry emphasized, “this is not just a book, it’s not just a report filled with stories that will touch you. This is a call to action. It’s a call to conscience. It is a reminder of what happens in many dark places that need light. And we have a responsibility to try to bring light to these individuals and to these places.”

The report turns the spotlight on the theme, “The Journey from Victim to Survivor,” sharing success stories of trafficking victims who have found victory, power and truth in recovery. Special interest topics discuss the vulnerability of certain social groups to human trafficking, and the prevalence of child soldiers in certain countries such as Burma, Rwanda, Somalia, and Yemen.

From a United Nations perspective, a list on page ten of the report shows 31 countries that do not participate in the “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking In Persons, Especially Women and Children of the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime” which shows that despite overwhelming efforts to raise awareness for human trafficking, several countries have yet to confront the issue officially.

Aside from the highlighted topics, the report provides a narrative for each country that presents a summary and analysis of trafficking data, and makes recommendations to better prosecute, protect, and prevent human trafficking: countries (A-C); (D-I); (J-M); (N-S); (T-Z, Special Case). The report is available in both PDF and HTML formats.

Article formerly posted at https://www.hsdl.org/blog/newpost/view/putting-the-red-light-on-trafficking-2014-em-trafficking-in-persons-report-em-released-today