The US State Department has added Russia and 12 other countries to the list of human trafficking sponsors

Human trafficking is a stain on the conscience of our society.  It fuels crime, corruption, and violence.  It distorts our economies and harms our workers. And it violates the fundamental right of all people to be free.

The list includes 13 countries whose governments finance human trafficking. Russia and Belarus are among them, according to the US State Department.

"The 2024 TIP Report includes the following 13 countries with a documented “policy or pattern” of human trafficking, trafficking in government-funded programs, forced labor in government-affiliated medical services or other sectors, sexual slavery in government camps, or the employment or recruitment of child soldiers," the statement reads.

• Afghanistan*
• Belarus
• Burma
• China, People’s Republic of
• Cuba
• Eritrea
• Iran
• Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of
• Russia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Turkmenistan

* The TIP Report describes the state of human trafficking within a country and with respect to Afghanistan, assesses the actions of Afghan ministries, as well as the Taliban, without implying recognition of the Taliban or another entity as the government of Afghanistan.