ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT ISSUES FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Report Identifies Record Increase In U.S. Trafficking Prosecutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft today announced the first annual Report to Congress on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The report, mandated by the 2003 Trafficking Victims Protection Re-authorization Act, provides information on the government’s activities to combat trafficking in persons.

“The Justice Department is committed to aggressive, swift prosecutions of the predators engaged in human trafficking abuses,” said Attorney General John Ashcroft. “Human trafficking robs victims of their freedom and their basic human rights. The crimes outlined in this report offend the principle of freedom used to establish our nation. Today’s report serves as a review of the great strides we are taking to combat trafficking but also serves as a somber reminder that there is still much work to do to eradicate this evil.”

The Bush Administration has made fighting human trafficking a significant priority. Since FY 2001, the Justice Department has charged 149 human traffickers, a three-fold increase over the previous three years, and secured convictions of 94 defendants, nearly twice the number convicted during the previous three years. Over the same period, the Justice Department has initiated 287 new trafficking investigations, nearly triple the number opened in the previous three years.

The report, covering FY 2003, provides information on a variety of law enforcement efforts to address the problem of human trafficking including: the Justice Department’s prosecutorial efforts; the number of victims granted non-immigrant T-visa status; the amount of international grants distributed; and the type of international anti-trafficking training provided.

A copy of today’s Report to Congress on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons can be found on the Justice Department’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/trafficking.htm

###

04-339