State Department Smackdown: 2009 TIP Report Analysis

The State Department's first annual Trafficking in Persons Report under President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton came out this week, which is pretty much the Tyson v. Holyfield of trafficking reports this year.  The questions have been burning.  Will Obama be tougher or laxer on countries than Bush was?  Will he lay the sanctional smack down on the worst offenders? Or will these "evildoers" get off with a slap on the wrist?  And most importantly, will every report come with a little snack pack of Grey Poupon?  Well, here's my take on the smack down.   

 First of all, for those not familiar with how the TIP Report rates countries, here's a very informal summary:

• Tier 1 countries still have trafficking problems, but are doing a pretty darn good job of finding solutions;
• Tier 2 countries aren't finding solutions, but are trying real hard (or, at least in the Bush administration, aren't trying but are America's buddies);
• Tier 2 Watch list countries are in a serious danger zone- they better get their anti-trafficking act together or we're gonna be pissed;
• Tier 3 countries fighting trafficking are like Daria playing volleyball- they either suck at it or they don't care, or both.

It's important to note that while non-humanitarian sanctions can be enforced on Tier 3 countries, none have been yet as a direct reulst of TIP REport ranking.  Now, on the the ratings.

The Big News: 52 countries are now on the Tier 2 Watch List.  That's a 30% increase, which says pretty loudly that this administration is more than willing to call countries out on their lack of effort, despite diplomatic ramifications. 

The Biggest Surprises: Malaysia got (in my opinion rightfully) bumped to Tier 3, for which Amb. Lagon over at Polaris Project gives props to Secretary Clinton, despite the "turbulence" it will likely cause.  And it has caused turbulence in the otherwise friendly relationship; Malaysia is pretty pissed.  Ireland got bumped to Tier 2, which I wasn't expecting, and Japan stayed where it's been (in my opinion undeservedly) on Tier 2.  I'm also surprised to see that Moldova and Cambodia aren't doing better, since both have had a number of major anti-trafficking initiatives by NGOs recently.  Go figure. 

Cool Features: The section about trafficking and the economic crisis was timely, if not particularly in depth.  Also, the section where the U.S. talks about its own anti-trafficking efforts was back, which is great, even though they still don't rate themselves by the same criteria as other countries.   But my fav this year is the breaking down of the language of human trafficking, which sent the etymologist nerd that lives inside me into fits of glee. 

What's Missing: As usual, what's missing is any attempt to determine the scope of trafficking in the world.  I know that statistics are hard, and that if you say a definitive number someone might try and disprove you, but we desperately need to get a better handle on how big this problem is and who it affects.  Right now we've got statistical ranges from 27 million to a few hundred thousand, and agruments about who those people are.  I think we could do a better job if we were working with better numbers.  So please, TIP Office, at least try next year? 

Overall, good report.  Perhaps not beach reading, but certainly informative.  And on a completely superficial note, this year's report is red.  Woohoo!