Antony Blinken targets digital human trafficking in Washington report
Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted digital tools in an annual report on Monday in Washington. The findings track modern methods used by global criminal networks. The agency released the document to outline global exploitation risks.
Blinken wrote about the expanding threat inside the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report.
“Digital tools have amplified the reach, scale, and speed of trafficking. They use online platforms to sell illicit sexual content. They leverage encrypted messaging and digital currencies to evade detection.”
Blinken said online tools allow traffickers to expand their operations. He noted that international cooperation remains essential.
“Trafficking is the very definition of a problem that no one nation can solve alone,” Blinken said.
The International Labour Organization estimated 27.6 million people were in forced labor in 2021. That figure marked an increase of 2.7 million from 2016. ILO estimates showed 6.3 million people endured forced commercial sexual exploitation. Another 3.9 million people faced forced labor imposed by a state.
“Unfortunately, some governments are part of the problem,” said Ambassador at-Large Cindy Dyer.
The State Department identified 13 countries as Tier 3 nations in the Washington document. These governments maintained a documented policy or pattern of trafficking, according to the report. The issues included forced labor in state medical services and government-funded programs. They also included sexual slavery in government camps and child soldier recruitment.
The 13 Tier 3 nations for 2024 include:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burma
- China
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Iran
- North Korea
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkmenistan
Migrant crises across the world intensify risks. Dyer said countries are more likely to see an increase in abuses.
Dyer urged foreign leaders to screen vulnerable individuals at border crossings. She noted migrants often owe debts to smugglers.
The State Department uses annual foreign assessments to monitor labor standards abroad. The tier rankings evaluate government efforts to meet federal anti-trafficking standards.
The United States follows a paradigm of prosecution, protection and prevention, according to Dyer in Washington.
