US cites Caribbean nations for failing to fight sex trafficking
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The United States on
Monday cited two Caribbean nations, along with eight others, for failing to
adequately fight international sex trafficking, opening the way for possible
sanctions, but removed three countries that made its blacklist last year.
Along with perennial US sanctions target Cuba, Guyana was singled out for not
doing enough to combat trafficking and will be subjected to sanctions unless
they demonstrably improve their records by October, the State Department said.
Affected aid could include military, educational and cultural assistance.
Among those nations removed from the State Department's list were Belize, the
Dominican Republic and Suriname all of which were have found to have made
significant improvements in their cooperation in fighting trafficking.
Haiti, included last year, was placed into a special category to reflect the
fact that its new interim government -- which took power after the departure
of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February -- has not yet had a
chance to demonstrate cooperation. The
blacklisted countries have been placed into what the department calls "Tier 3"
-- a grouping of countries that are not making "significant efforts" to combat
the trafficking of human beings, particularly of women and children.
Nations deemed to be complying with US and international efforts to fight
trafficking are placed in "Tier 1," while those making "significant efforts"
are placed in "Tier 2." For the first time in
its four-year history, the 2004 report creates a "Tier 2 watch list" for
countries that are not yet in compliance with US legal standards and may be
downgraded, but have promised to make or are in the process of making
significant efforts to meet the requirements, officials said.
By far the largest number of the 140 nations surveyed for the study were
placed on the watchlist, including Belize, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and
Suriname
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