Opinion

A way to get tougher on human trafficking

Posted June 28, 2014 5:01 am

On June 20, Secretary of State John Kerry released the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report, which ranks 188 countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, including the United States. This incredibly important diplomatic tool is compiled each year by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office). Countries that fail to deal adequately with their human trafficking problem can be placed on "Tier 3" and face U.S. sanctions.

To protect the integrity of this report from other political or diplomatic concerns, I believe the TIP Office should be upgraded to a State Department bureau, which can be done without any added cost or bureaucracy. The enduring crime of slavery is so monstrous - and sadly so prevalent, with nearly 30 million slaves in the world today - that this office needs to be at the same stature as other State Department bureaus that address issues like arms control, the environment and narcotics.

I'm pleased that Congressman Peter Roskam has already co-sponsored legislation that would make the TIP Office a bureau.

Lynne Cassell

Wheaton

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