June 21, 2012 – Washington D.C. – The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) congratulates the Republic of Macedonia for once again earning Tier One status in the fight to rid the world of human trafficking, according to the U.S. State Department 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report released this week. Historically located at the major crossroads of the Balkans, Macedonia has been fertile ground for human trafficking in the past. Now, Macedonia joins Croatia and Slovenia as the only countries in the region with Tier One status.
As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has emphasized publically, human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery, and all countries should commit to combat it. Every year, the U.S. State Department evaluates the progress of countries in this area, assessing what each country has done in terms of preventing these crimes, protecting the victims, and combating existing human trafficking networks on their territories.
According to the report, countries are put in three categories: Tier One, Two and Three, with Tier One being for countries that have fulfilled all conditions. Macedonia received Tier One status for the first time in 2008, and has maintained it ever since, by breaking up human trafficking chains and prosecuting perpetrators – particularly along the porous western and north-western borders – as well as by providing shelters and services for the victims.
To read the report, please click here: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2012/index.htm
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