US continues battle against trafficking, warts and all

At least that was what journalists from 20 countries, including The Nation, saw and heard during a state-sponsored trip on how the US deals with human trafficking.
But how does it deal with the issue outside its territory? One of the best-known ways is through the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report by the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
The US is legally obliged to provide reports on human trafficking situations in 188 countries across the world, including Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Every year, the US ranks itself in the highest Tier 1, which is reserved for the government of a country that “fully complies” with the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
The report in 2018, evaluating the situation in the year prior to its release, would cover the first full-year performance under President Donald Trump.
While a single person, or even a lone federal administration, cannot be blamed if the ranking were affected, an advocate source expressed concern that migration-related legislation passed during the Trump administration would point to prejudice.
“We can see trends of xenophobia, racism and sensationalism in the White House under Trump. Issues and policies are becoming less addressed from true expertise or even not addressed at all,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.
Despite the Trump’s administration’s missteps, the annual TIP report would be issued as usual.
“What we are doing is just keep trying to send the message that it’s not about the US but it’s about embracing shared responsibilities with international interests,” said the Office’s acting deputy director Laura Svat Rundlet. Rundlet
“In general, there is no consequence as the provision states in the law,” Rundlet said, “unless you remain on Tier 3, which still can be waived as it is not mandatory.”
Thailand was placed in Tier 3, the lowest rank possible, from 2014 to 2015 before it returned to the Tier 2 Watch List, where it was from 2010 to 2013.
Like reports on other countries, the opinion on Thailand is also formulated in Washington based on accounts from several sources, be they Thai authorities, US agencies, NGOs as well as international organisations.
One of the bodies active in fighting human trafficking is the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which also collaborates with the local governments of its 169 member states, including Thailand.
“Due to long-standing relationships, the IOM is able to provide services in government-run shelters and is often involved in training officials on victim-sensitive and protection-oriented approaches in assisting victims of trafficking, as well as prevention,” the IOM explained in an e-mail response.
The IOM’s cooperation with the Thai government, included reaching out to more than 32,000 migrants through an outreach and information campaign last year, providing direct assistance to victims including interpretation, medical, shelters and psychological support as well as intervention to disrupt migrant trafficking operations in Thailand and its neighbours.