Suva, Fiji – On July 2, the U.S. Department of State released the 2021 annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Tonga. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) requires the Secretary of State to submit an annual TIP report to Congress. The goal of this report is to stimulate action and create partnerships around the world in the fight against trafficking in persons.
Although Tongan counterparts and allies have made significant efforts, the Department of State has determined that the Government of Tonga does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacity. Therefore, Tonga was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List.
The United States looks forward to working with the Government of Tonga on implementing the recommendations made in the 2021 TIP report to further the Government of Tonga’s anti-trafficking efforts over the next year.
To view the country narrative for Tonga and other countries subject to the TVPA, please visit https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/ .