press releases 2007

June 13, 2007

The Department of State released the seventh annual Trafficking in Persons report (TIP) in Washington D.C., on June 12.

The TIP Report on over 150 countries is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its findings will raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.  It serves as the primary diplomatic tool through which the U.S. Government encourages partnership and increased determination in the fight against forced labor, sexual exploitation, and modern-day slavery.

Countries determined to have a significant number of trafficking victims are assigned to one of three tiers.  Countries assessed as meeting the "minimum standards for the elimination of severe forms of trafficking" set forth in the 2000 Congress Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) are classified as Tier 1.  Countries assessed as not fully complying with the minimum standards, but making significant efforts to meet those minimum standards are classified as Tier 2.  Countries assessed as neither complying with the minimum standards nor making significant efforts to do so are classified as Tier 3.

Lebanon has been classified as Tier 2.

Full report may be downloaded http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/

Country Narratives (Countries H through P, including Lebanon) is available on http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007/82806.htm