2006 PRESS RELEASES
Zimbabwe listed as Tier 3 in State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice released the sixth annual Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report June 5 and stated, “Defeating human trafficking is a great moral calling of our time and under President Bush's leadership the United States is leading a new abolitionist movement to end the sordid trade in human beings.”
The 158-country report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, or modern-day slavery. Its findings raise global awareness and hopefully spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons. The assessment includes reports on countries determined to have a significant number of victims of severe forms of trafficking.
Governments that meet standards for elimination of trafficking established in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 are placed in Tier 1. Countries assessed as not fully complying with the minimum standards but making significant efforts to do so are classified as Tier 2. The Tier 2 “Watch List” includes those countries at risk of slipping to Tier 3 unless serious concerns are addressed. Countries that are assessed as not making significant efforts to meet the standards are classified as Tier 3. Zimbabwe Moved from Watch List to Tier 3
Zimbabwe is classified as Tier 3 because its government placed many of its citizens at increased risk for exploitation as a result of Operation Murambatsvina. Tens of thousands of people remain homeless in the wake of the operation, which demolished ostensibly illegal homes and businesses. An estimated 223,000 children were affected and left vulnerable to trafficking.
In addition, the government-controlled press verbally attacked an NGO that works to combat trafficking, and police raided the NGO's offices and one of its shelters that houses victims of rape and abuse, harassing already traumatized victims, some of whom were likely trafficking victims.
Finally, prosecution of traffickers is constrained by an immigration requirement to deport foreigners within two weeks of arrest, leading to incomplete investigations and fines and deportations of suspected traffickers. But there were also Signs of Progress in 2005
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted training for 280 police who successfully utilized it to identify trafficking cases and refer victims for assistance.
The Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) of the Zimbabwe Republic Police actively investigated at least nine cases of suspected trafficking and positively identified 26 persons as trafficking victims.
VFU and IOM officers jointly interviewed and referred victims to NGO's shelter, health care, counseling, and reintegration services; at least nine of the victims identified by police received these services and foreign victims were offered deportation relief while they received services and their cases were investigated.
One district council hired a child protection officer, convened a protection committee, and conducted a small survey of the trafficking problem. Government-sponsored media ran IOM's trafficking awareness messages. In addition, the government-sponsored media continued to print or air messages warning the public about prostitution and false employment scams that can lead to trafficking. Zimbabwe Can Do More to Fight Trafficking in Persons.
We would like to see the government of Zimbabwe build on the progress noted above and improve its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Passage of comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation that would allow for the thorough investigation and prosecution of foreign traffickers as well as the launch of a broad public awareness campaign would be major improvements that could improve Zimbabwe’s TIP ranking. Zimbabwe could also take steps to ensure that those made vulnerable by Operation Murambatsvina do not become victims of trafficking.
What the United States is Doing to Fight Trafficking in Persons in Zimbabwe
We applaud the efforts of international organizations and non-governmental organizations to prevent this crime, protect victims, and assist in investigations. The United States is supporting local NGOs that conduct anti-trafficking in persons programs through our grants programs.
Issued: June 7, 2006
Ref: 06-PR-01