Editor's Note:

On June 3, 2005 the US State Department released the fifth annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report marked by a press briefing by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Ambassador John R. Miller, Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons.��The Congressionally mandated report noted that Saudi Arabia was among four countries -- the others are Kuwait, UAE and Qatar -- that were added to the list of Tier 3 countries [see below for Tier Placements].��

The Tier 3 countries which can be sanctioned unless they take "significant steps against trafficking" according to Ambassador Miller were cited based on "their failure primarily to make significant efforts to combat forced labor trafficking."

This SUSRIS NID provides background on the TIP and news reports relating to the inclusion of Saudi Arabia on the Tier 3 country list.

Letter from Secretary Rice - June 3, 2005
"President Bush, the Congress, and the American people are united in efforts to eradicate trafficking in persons internationally and within national borders because this global crime opposes the universal value of freedom.

"This fifth annual Trafficking in Persons Report, along with the $96 million in anti-trafficking assistance our nation provided to foreign governments and non-government organizations last year, demonstrates our strong commitment to this cause. This year, we included more country analyses as a result of deeper research and a wider range of sources.."

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice--

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Briefing by Ambassador Miller on the Release of the Trafficking in Persons Report - June 3, 2005

"..Our sources of information are diverse: law enforcement, U.S. embassies, NGOs, daring activists, foreign governments, our own visits. Everything enters the mix, extensive analysis and debate goes into the assessment of each country and assignment into Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 2 watch list, or Tier 3.

"We didn't design the system. Congress designed the system with important help from nongovernmental organization and faith-based communities. I'm happy to note that the Tier 2 warning watch list, introduced last year, has been very effective. 31 of the 46 countries on the 2004 TIP reports, Tier 2 watch list improve their ratings this year. The increased scrutiny of these countries' anti-trafficking efforts required of us by Congress has led to the State Department's greater engagement with these governments. More important, it has led to greater efforts by the governments themselves.�

"For the third year, Tier 3 countries can be sanctioned if they don't take significant anti-slavery action in the next few months.."

Ambassador John R. Miller
Senior Advisor on Trafficking in Persons

Source: US State Dept.

News Reporting on the 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report

U.S. criticizes Gulf allies on trafficking - CNN/Reuters - June 3, 2005

"The State Department downgraded Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to the lowest level of compliance in the report, which evaluates countries' efforts in fighting the trafficking of thousands of people forced into servitude or the sex trade every year.."

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U.S. allies cited for exploitation - AP - June 4, 2005

"The United States accused 14 nations Friday of failing to do enough to stop the modern-day slave trade in sex workers, soldiers and forced laborers.

"The countries include Saudi Arabia, Washington's closest Arab ally in the war on terrorism.

"Three other U.S. allies in the Middle East � Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar � were newly listed this year as nations that are failing to adequately address trafficking problems. The State Department said the 14 countries could be subject to sanctions if they do not improve.."

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Saudis Rebut Trafficking Report - NY Times/Reuters - June 5, 2005

Saudi Arabia said Saturday that it strongly disagreed with a United States report citing it as a top offender in human trafficking.

A State Department report released Friday said forced labor existed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and included domestic servants, laborers, prostitutes and even boys as young as 3 who ride in camel races.

"We are surprised by the contents of the report, and we disagree with most of what has been mentioned," said Prince Torki bin Muhammad bin Saud al-Kabeer, under secretary for political affairs at the Saudi Foreign Ministry. "We will study the report and respond to it."

"The rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia prohibit exploitation and trafficking of people," the prince said. "Our religion also does not accept this."
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US Trafficking Report Biased, Says Kingdom - Arab News - June 4, 2005

Saudi Arabia yesterday disagreed with a US State Department report accusing Riyadh of human trafficking, and said the report was �neither objective nor impartial� as it ignored abuses in the United States and Europe.

Prince Turki said that violations of Saudi regulations may occur � as anywhere else in the world � but the government had taken steps to help bring offenders to justice and planned to introduce new rules for foreign workers soon.

Efforts to combat human trafficking included the establishment of a non-governmental organization, the National Society of Human Rights, which was looking into cases of reported abuse, he said.

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The 2005 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report: Its Purpose

The Department of State is required by law to submit a report each year to the U.S. Congress on foreign governments� efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons. This Report is the fifth annual TIP Report.

This Report is intended to raise global awareness and spur foreign governments to take effective actions to counter all forms of trafficking in persons � a form of modern day slavery. The Report has increasingly focused the efforts of a growing community of nations to share information and to partner in new and important ways to fight human trafficking. A country that fails to take significant actions to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons receives a negative "Tier 3" assessment in this Report. Such an assessment could trigger the withholding of non-humanitarian, non-trade-related assistance from the United States to that country.

In assessing foreign governments� efforts, the TIP Report highlights the "three P�s" � prosecution, protection, and prevention. But a victim-centered approach to trafficking requires us equally to address the "three R�s" � rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The law that guides these efforts, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), makes clear from its first sentence that the purpose of combating human trafficking is to ensure just and effective punishment of traffickers, to protect their victims, and to prevent trafficking

Source: US State Dept.

Trafficking in Persons Report - Tier Placements

Source: US State Dept.