2004 Press Releases

To inspire greater determination, creativity, and cooperation among governments in the fight against modern-day slavery, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell released the fourth annual Trafficking in Persons Report on Monday June 14, 2004 at the State Department in Washington, DC.

Moldova was rated in Tier Two of the report, an indication that the country does not fully comply with minimum standards for elimination of trafficking; however it making significant efforts to do so.

"Criminals and criminal networks are targeting some of the most vulnerable people in Moldova," said former U.S. Congressman 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% are women, 34% are girls under the age of 18, and 16% are boys under the age of 18 ? meaning more than 80% of victims are female and 50% 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 2003 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. The section of the report on Moldova can be found in both English and Romanian at moldova.usembassy.gov.