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UN Trafficking Treaty: Myths/Facts Fact sheet released by the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues, January 18, 2000.

The United States is currently negotiating a UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. One of its main objectives is to reach consensus on a protocol for the trafficking of human beings. By requiring participating countries to punish the perpetrators and help the victims, this treaty represents another historic step forward in our global efforts to help the one million women and girls who, every year, are being shipped across national lines and sold into modern slavery.

Although this treaty is being negotiated in Vienna with the strong support of governments and NGOs, unfortunately, over the past week some have waged a misinformation campaign against it. Many of their claims are misleading. Some are blatantly false.

As this debate moves forward, it is important to separate the myths from the facts.

MYTH: The Protocol will legalize prostitution.

FACT: The Administration opposes prostitution in all its forms. The United States has perhaps the most far-reaching prostitution laws in the world. There are international human rights and humanitarian laws that fight exploitation and prostitution. We will not agree to a treaty that weakens existing prostitution laws here or around the world. In fact, the draft treaty clearly states that these international treaties--and the obligations they impose on participating countries--must remain unchanged. Despite what some have claimed, this treaty will not, in any way, undermine the 1949 UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.

MYTH: The Administration opposes trafficking legislation.

FACT: The Administration has been working with Congress to craft the strongest possible legislation to stop trafficking. We want a law that will provide effective punishments for the perpetrators and protections for the victims--from medical treatment to shelter to the opportunity to become a legal resident. This assistance will not only give victims safety and security, but it also will help them assist in the prosecution of traffickers. If we are going to continue our progress in fighting trafficking, passing legislation is a critical next step. We remain committed to working closely with Congress this year to reach consensus and enact meaningful legislation.

MYTH: There is a groundswell of opposition to the protocol.

FACT: Most of the vocal opponents are those who are trying to score political points by misrepresenting the protocol and dividing and conquering its supporters. The truth is, our approach enjoys broad support among countries and activists. U.S. policy is the product of extensive work by experts across the government. And it is supported by many international and U.S. NGOs with experience working with trafficking victims--from Charlotte Bunch of the Center for Women's Global Leadership, to Gay McDougal of International Human Rights Law Group, to Reagan Ralph of Human Rights Watch.

MYTH: The protocol's definition of trafficking will be finalized in the next few weeks.

FACT: The language of the protocol is still being negotiated. The United States has entered into no final agreements. Agreement on the final text is at least 8 months away. In the interim, the U.S. delegation will be listening to the debate and making our voices heard.

MYTH: This protocol should focus only on the commercial sex industry.

FACT: This debate is about much more than the sex industry. Every day, women and girls are being sold not only into prostitution but also domestic servitude, sweatshop labor, debt bondage, and other forms of modern-day slavery. Often lured with promises of jobs as waitresses or hairdressers, they may be held captive and forced to work in inhumane conditions. They may be raped or beaten continuously.

These crimes are violations of human dignity. The United States will not rest until all forms of trafficking are stopped. The draft protocol addresses trafficking---n the sex industry and elsewhere--that involves force, deception, fraud, and coercion. It would help punish those who profit from buying and selling women and girls. And it would encourage countries to offer truly unprecedented protection and assistance to the victims. In appropriate cases, women and girls who have suffered unspeakable harm would be offered the possibility of lawful resident status, health care, shelter, restitution, and other tools they need to rebuild their lives.

Conversely, switching the focus of the protocol entirely to the sex industry would move us backward in two fundamental ways. First, it fails to adequately address all the ways in which women and children are harmed by traffickers-- from domestic servitude to bonded sweatshop labor. Second, many countries would withdraw their support. If this happens and the treaty is derailed, the only winners will be those who profit from buying and selling women and girls.

MYTH: The Administration has turned its back on trafficking.

FACT: No Administration has done more to combat the trafficking of women and girls here and around the world [see fact sheet on steps taken by the Administration]. Today, trafficking is finally out of the shadows in large part because of the leadership of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State Albright, and Attorney General Reno. The U.S. is a world leader on this issue. We have mobilized the entire government to prevent trafficking, to protect its victims, and punish its perpetrators. We are working with Congress to enact the strongest possible legislation. We have established a task force that is prosecuting traffickers in the United States. We have engaged in anti-trafficking campaigns with many other countries--from the former Soviet Union to South East Asia. And we are actively leading international efforts, including those developed at the OSCE and the United Nations, to stop trafficking in every corner of the world.

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