US blacklists Brunei, Sudan for human trafficking

The United States on Monday added Brunei and violence-torn Sudan to its human trafficking blacklist, while warning that technology was worsening the scourge that affects millions around the world.

In an annual report, the State Department added Brunei and Sudan to a “Tier 3” blacklist of countries that are not doing enough against human trafficking and could be subject to U.S. sanctions or a reduction in their aid.

Brunei — a U.S. partner in the ASEAN bloc — did not convict any traffickers for the seventh straight year and likely prosecuted or deported some victims in need of help, the State Department said.

The oil-rich monarchy also “publicized its efforts to arrest 'fugitive workers,' caning some of those arrested,” the report said.

Brunei generally maintains friendly relations with the United States, although the majority-Muslim country has been criticized for keeping capital punishment on the books, if not in practice, for homosexuality.

Sudan fell from the previous year in the rankings as the country descended into a devastating war between rival generals.

“We have evaluated a policy or pattern of trafficking (by) the government of Sudan with respect to the recruitment of child soldiers,” Cindy Dyer, the U.S. ambassador on human trafficking, told reporters.

Most countries on the Level 3 blacklist have poor relations with the United States, including China, Russia and Venezuela.

The United States removed Algeria from the blacklist, saying it was “making significant efforts,” pointing to a new anti-trafficking law and a tripling of prosecutions of suspected perpetrators.

Egypt, South Africa and Vietnam have both been removed from a watch list, threatening to downgrade them to Tier 3 without improvements.

Vietnam – which only two years ago was at the lowest level of Level 3 – was reclassified thanks to increased investigations and prosecutions, as well as greater assistance to victims, Dyer said.

The report said Egypt has more than doubled prosecutions of suspected traffickers and prosecuted officials accused of complicity.

South Africa has also been credited with increasing prosecutions and creating more shelters for victims.

Despite some improvements, the report warns that human trafficking remains a major problem worldwide, estimating that 27 million people worldwide are exploited for labor, sex or services.

The report highlights the role of technology, saying it makes it easier for traffickers to cross borders.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in presenting the report, noted an increase in cyber scams that lure people forced into work.

But he highlighted the work of non-governmental groups, particularly through artificial intelligence, to eradicate trafficking.

“Some of these same technologies can be deployed to uncover and disrupt trafficking and can help us better hold perpetrators accountable,” he said.