The accuracy and political pressures contained in the State Department’s newly released Trafficking in Persons report will be the topic of a House hearing Tuesday entitled “Accountability Over Politics: Scrutinizing the Trafficking in Persons Report.” The Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons will testify at the hearing, which will be held by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House global human rights subcommittee.

“The State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report, required by the Trafficking Victim’s Protection Act of 2000, has galvanized countries around the world to prosecute traffickers, protect victims and prevent human trafficking—but the report is only as powerful as its accuracy,” said Smith. “Tragically, last year’s report inflated tier rankings of ‘friendly’ countries and was a lost opportunity to demand change for suffering victims.” Tuesday’s hearing will focus on whether the 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report holds accountable even security and trading partners—Cuba, China, India, Burma, Malaysia, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Who:               Chairman Smith (NJ-04), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations; other members of the committee, and; witness:

• The Honorable Susan Coppage, , U.S. Department of State
• David Abramowitz, Managing Director, Humanity United Action
  

What:             House hearing on examining the new 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report

When:            Tuesday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Where:           Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2200 (second floor)

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