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The Fourth Annual Trafficking In Persons Report

June 15, 2004

To inspire greater determination, creativity, and cooperation among governments in the fight against modern-day slavery, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell today released the fourth annual Trafficking in Persons Report at the State Department in Washington.

Lithuania was rated in Tier 1 of the report, an indication that Lithuania fully complies with the act’s minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.  The Government of Lithuania demonstrated a strong commitment throughout the reporting period through increased funding for anti-trafficking efforts and sustained law enforcement activities.  Nonetheless, Lithuania is Lithuania is a source and transit country for women and children trafficked to Germany, Spain, Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, and Poland for the purpose of sexual exploitation.  Women are trafficked for sexual exploitation into and through Lithuania from countries such as Ukraine, Russia (Kaliningrad), and Belarus, and within Lithuania.  

“Criminals and criminal networks are targeting some of the most vulnerable people,” said former U.S. Rep. John Miller, who leads U.S. Government efforts against human trafficking. “We’re reaching out in the spirit of partnership to encourage all governments to accelerate efforts to end this atrocity and protect people from human trafficking schemes.”

Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The 2004 report estimates 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked in this manner across national borders each year. Of those, 47 percent are women, 34 percent are girls under the age of 18, and 16 percent are boys under the age of 18 ¾ meaning more than 80 percent of victims are female and 50 percent are children.

Millions more are thought to be trafficked within country borders worldwide.

The U.S. devoted more than $70 million in anti-trafficking in persons programs abroad in the last fiscal year, and, in a September speech to the U.N. General Assembly, President Bush committed an additional $50 million in U.S. spending abroad this year.

The fight against human trafficking is attracting worldwide attention because trafficking threatens human rights, public health, and the safety and security of nations.

The 140-country Trafficking in Persons Report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its purpose is to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

The efforts of governments to fight human trafficking are rated in tiers in the report based on tangible actions taken throughout the year. The standards used to determine these ratings can be found in the 2004 report at www.state.gov/g/tip.