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U.S. Releases 2015 Human Trafficking Report; Former FIFA V.P. Appears for Extradition Hearing; Africa's Fight against Al-Shabaab; Exhibit Shines Light on Abuse of Domestic Workers; Trump Bump Continues; China Stocks Tumble. Aired 10-11 ET
Aired July 27, 2015 - 10:00 ET
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LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST: Hello and welcome to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Lynda Kinkade at the CNN Center.
ISHA SESAY, CNN HOST: And I'm Isha Sesay at the U.S. State Department. We begin with a new measure in the fight against modern-day
slavery. This hour, the U.S. State Department is unveiling this year's Trafficking in Persons Report. It's part of an international campaign
championed by Washington and supported by the CNN Freedom Project.
Well, Secretary of State John Kerry will be presenting today's report. He's expected at the podium shortly. This report will mark the 15th
anniversary of the American Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Kerry will focus on this year's TIP Report heroes, eight men and women who have
made a lasting impact on the global fight against modern-day slavery. And this is truly an international assessment of the fight against slavery. It
covers 188 countries, including the United States.
Let's break it down for you now. The report issued each year is Washington's main diplomatic tool to get other governments talking about
the problem of human trafficking. Its purpose is to take stock of each country's efforts in fighting modern-day slavery. The report is used by
governments and organizations worldwide to examine where resources are most needed.
Let's explain to you exactly how this is ranked, how the countries are graded. The report grades countries on human trafficking. Tier 1
countries acknowledge the existence of human trafficking, have made efforts to address the problem and comply with the minimum standards of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
Tier 2 includes countries who do not fully comply but are making significant efforts to improve. There's also something called a Tier 2
Watch List for countries who do not meet the minimum standards, have a significant or increasing number of trafficking victims and haven't shown
evidence of efforts to improve but are taking steps to do so.
And let's talk about the final tier here and the most critical in some ways, there's a third tier for countries not in compliance and not making
efforts to improve. The U.S. can penalize Tier 3 countries by withholding some foreign assistance.
I'm joined now by Andrea Powell, executive director of anti-human trafficking organization, FAIR Girls.
Andrea, it's so good to have you with us. We just laid out for our viewers the way the countries are ranked and the tier system. Some might
think Tier 3 is the critical, but others would say that Tier 2 Watch List is the most volatile.
ANDREA POWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAIR GIRLS: Exactly. So the Tier 2 Watch List is where countries are placed when they're making significant
efforts but they're not enough, basically. That's what we're saying here. So they're placed on Tier 2 Watch List for an estimate of two years before
they're either upgraded, back to Tier 2 or they're downgraded to Tier 3.
And so for those countries, it's a space of time to really try to combat the problem in credible ways; for example, in making sure victims
who are identified get access to services, making sure victims aren't arrested or deported.
So globally speaking, this is a tool to really encourage countries to avoid going to Tier 3, where there's real consequences, not just a shame
game.
SESAY: So when you end up on that Tier 2 Watch List bang, you're kind of on notice.
POWELL: Right, exactly. So it's you're about to get kicked out of the club, so to speak, that's sort of what we're saying here. And it's an
effective tool to say if you make these credible steps and there's recommendations that each country has, laid out in the report itself, then
there's an opportunity to go back to Tier 2 or to move upwards.
But if you don't, they are going to be downgraded and that not only includes potential shaming but also sanctions on the trade level, not
humanitarian aid being cut. There's real consequences. And so countries do pay attention.
For example, Thailand, you can see a lot of media right now around the fisheries, around sex trafficking in Thailand and the Thai government
making some credible efforts. Just in the recent media in the last week to genuinely arrest victims -- I'm sorry; arrest those who are trafficking and
to assist victims who are in need of services and so this is really a broad, expansive tool. It's not just a report.
SESAY: So we have the report itself -- here it is -- several hundreds of pages along, the Trafficking in Persons Report of 2015.
Andrea, you have looked through it.
Which are the countries you were going into, that this report, before it was released, most interested in?
Talk to me what stands out for you, just break it down for us.
POWELL: Sure. So we're looking at 180 countries, right, so it's a huge report. Some of the countries that I was looking at, Malaysia being
one. Malaysia's received a lot of press in the last couple of months, particularly the discovery of mass graves of trafficking victims in the
country.
[10:05:00]
POWELL: But keep in mind that this report covers through March. And so a lot of things that people are seeing in the media right now, that's
something to be addressed going forward in next year's report. That's not to say that these problems, this huge, massive trafficking problem, hasn't
existed in Malaysia before.
So another reason we're looking at Malaysia is that they are being considered for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. So there's a lot of
overlying issues. So Malaysia now being upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List from Tier 3, we're looking to see in this coming year, are they going to be able
to meet that level? Are they going to be able to sustain efforts to genuinely combat trafficking?
And that's really what we're looking at.
SESAY: And the point must be made for our viewers that Malaysia was downgraded just last year; it was downgraded alongside Thailand. Thailand
was not upgraded this year.
POWELL: So Thailand is not upgraded. Thailand remains on Tier 3 as I just said. Thailand is making some recent significant efforts; Malaysia
also doing the same. But we have a lot of other issues to look at. Malaysia in terms of -- if you look in the report, then you can see that
they're not only trying to address the problem brontes (ph) but also trying to make some credible measures to ensure victims get access to services,
victims are able move freely.
So there are some elements of progress but Malaysia still has a long way to go and again, there's a lot of other underlying issues. And we want
to make sure that this report is able to focus fully on the issue of human trafficking and not be swayed by political pressure.
SESAY: I was going to say let's be explicit here, because that is a criticism on the part of some people that Malaysia's upgrading to the Tier
2 Watch List, that is more to do with politics than it is to do with the situation on the ground, that it is indeed influenced by that trade pact.
POWELL: That's correct. And for the past over 10 years, this report has really been a pure standard of looking at how governments address the
issue of trafficking. So advocates, including me, are concerned that this report be politicized, to be used as a tool to advance specific issues,
such as trade. That's something that we directly oppose and we want to make sure that this report remains true to its form because we're looking
at addressing an issue that affects over 38 million enslaved people around the world.
This isn't just a report. These aren't just tier rankings. These are real lives that are being impacted, whether it's in Malaysia or the United
States.
SESAY: Let's talk about the other countries you were keeping an eye on. You mentioned Malaysia there. Who else?
POWELL: So another country that I was paying close attention to is Uzbekistan. Many people don't know that the cotton -- that the cotton that
we are looking to purchase for our clothing, that we have -- the clothes that we wear in the United States, Uzbek cotton in the past has been culled
and really used by children. So there's a huge child labor issue in Uzbekistan. In the last year, Uzbekistan has made a decry to eliminate
child labor in the cotton industry. But there continues to be significant problems in how that decry is actually implemented.
And so we're looking at Uzbekistan making incredible efforts. So that's Tier 2 Watch List. But it's yet to be seen what actually happens.
And there's concerns by labor reports that now teachers and other aid workers are being used in place of the children.
SESAY: And the problem has morphed into something --
POWELL: Right. So the problem has moved. And so this report is an evolving tool and every year we're looking to see has that progress been
implemented, what have they actually done with those laws that have or haven't been passed?
SESAY: Andrea, stand by for us because I want to bring our viewers up to speed.
There's the Secretary of State John Kerry clearly there on the stage. He will be making remarks shortly in -- to mark the release of the
Trafficking in Persons Report, the 2015 report. He's there in the room, alongside the aid heroes that will also be recognized for their outstanding
efforts in the fight against human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We are waiting to hear from the secretary of state himself.
The undersecretary of state, Sarah Sewell (ph), will be making remarks before him. We will, of course, bring you the secretary of state's
comments live when he does take the podium.
But we're going to continue with our conversation with Andrea Powell until he does take the microphone.
And, Andrea, as we see Secretary of State Kerry there in the room, I think it's worth it this point just making it clear to our viewers that
human trafficking is very much a problem right here in the United States.
POWELL: That's right. People often think human trafficking is something that happened only in Malaysia or India, where there are mass
problems. But here in the United States, we have a huge human rights problem with human trafficking broad-based, including American children,
who, the average age of entry into commercial sexual exploitation both nationally as well as within my organization, is between the ages of 13 to
15 years.
SESAY: Thirteen? Thirteen, wow.
POWELL: So they're very young children. And so -- and we need to speak to the measures that the United States is making to fully comply with
its own standards to combat human trafficking. It's only in recent years that this report actually looked at how the United States is doing to
combat human trafficking.
[10:10:00]
POWELL: And that really shows a transparency in the effort that we have to combat this issue here in our own back yard.
SESAY: Andrea, thank you.
Andrea's going to stay with us throughout the hour to talk a little bit more about the report.
Also worth pointing out that the United States is Tier 1 in the report. Not saying that it doesn't have a problem but according to the
ranking system of the Trafficking in Persons Report, that means that they acknowledge that there's a problem and they do meet the minimum standards
in fighting it.
We're going to continue to stay on top of this. We're going to wait for the secretary of state to take the podium and make his remarks to
formally announce the release of the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Lynda will be right here. We're going to continue to go through this report and bring you the key points or the key talking points in the hours
ahead -- Lynda.
KINKADE: OK, very critical report there.
We will return to you shortly, Isha Sesay there in Washington.
Move on to some of the other news now. The media outlets in Trinidad and Tobago are reporting former FIFA vice president Jack Warner has just
left his extradition hearing. Warner is wanted by the United States on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering. This is of
course in connection with the sweeping FIFA corruption investigation. As he fights extradition, Warner has requested a judicial review on, quote,
"the basis of political bias." The case has now reportedly been adjourned until late August.
The U.S. president is turning his attention to human rights during his visit to Ethiopia. Barack Obama is the first U.S. president to visit the
East African nation while in office.
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KINKADE (voice-over): The U.S. State Department and rights organizations have accused Ethiopia of stifling the media and dissent.
After their talks, which wrapped up earlier today, the prime minister said his nation is committed to democracy and here's what Mr. Obama had to say.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: . the governing party has significant breadth and popularity and, as a consequence, making sure
to open additional space for journalists, for media, for opposition voices, will strengthen, rather than inhibit the agenda that the prime minister and
the ruling party has put forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Leaders also talked about terrorism with Mr. Obama, praising efforts to push back the military group Al-Shabaab. The terror group is
based in Somalia and on Sunday it attacked a prominent hotel using a powerful car bomb at the gate. At least 15 people were killed.
In the fight against Al-Shabaab, Ethiopia is one of a number of countries contributing troops to the African Union mission to Somalia.
However, as CNN's Robyn Kriel (ph) tells us, the Ethiopians say they need much more help.
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ROBYN KRIEL (PH), CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Al-Shabaab militants wait to ambush an African Union convoy in Southern Somalia. The
attack went largely unnoticed until this gruesome terror video appeared online. The Al Qaeda-linked militant group claim they killed dozens of
Ethiopian troops. Identity documents purport to show the dead.
The Ethiopian military is regarded as the most disciplined, effective and battle-hardened among the 22,000 troops of the African Union's mission
to Somalia. Their mandate is peace enforcement. Their contribution to fighting Al-Shabaab hasn't gone unnoticed.
U.S. President Barack Obama thanked Ethiopia for its leadership and cooperation last year.
OBAMA: Our counterterrorist cooperation and the partnerships that we've then formed with countries like Ethiopia are going to be critical to
our overall efforts to defeat terrorism.
KRIEL (PH) (voice-over): Those efforts have ramped up just this month with the new ground offensive by African forces and U.S. airstrikes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Obama traveled to Ethiopia, I think, is an indication of continued U.S. engagement, possibly some increase, and also
signaling U.S. -- a U.S. awareness that more needs to be done, that the last few years of combined (INAUDIBLE) international efforts to contain Al-
Shabaab haven't done enough and that it's time to step up, both the campaign against Al-Shabaab and the support for the countries that are on
the front line.
KRIEL (PH) (voice-over): The Ethiopians believe they can teach the Americans a thing or two about achieving that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The United States has to do some learning as to how realities on the ground and understand the realities on the ground
would better inform whatever positions they make.
KRIEL (PH) (voice-over): Redda (ph) adds that the two countries have a long way in addressing what he calls their differences in approach when
pressed on that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
KRIEL: It's said that the African Union's war against Al-Shabaab and Somalia is the cheapest, most effective --
[10:15:00]
KRIEL: -- war against militant Islam in the world. But the countries fighting that war, including Ethiopia, need more support in terms of
financing, training and equipping.
One Western diplomat --
SESAY: Hello, everyone, we're live at the State Department, where the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is about to make remarks about the 2015
Trafficking in Persons Report just released by the U.S. State Department. Let's listen.
(CROSSTALK)
JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: -- until next week, but I couldn't resist.
I really can think of no better way to start this week than with such a gathering of really remarkable people, all of whom are determined to make
a difference in a cause that really counts.
And I am very, very honored to be here. Particularly happy to see from Capitol Hill my friend and former colleague, Senator Amy Klobuchar and
Representative Chris Smith, who has been just such a longtime champion on these issues. Both of them are two champions in this fight.
Delighted to see the first lady's chief of staff, Tina Tchen. Thank you for being with us. And also, I want to just recognize quickly Jeff
Zucker, the head of CNN.
CNN has made a special cause of this. I see their accountability reports as I travel around the world.
And Jeff, we're very, very appreciative to CNN for their commitment to this cause. Thank you, all of you.
There are members of the diplomatic corps here and that is absolutely vital to us because international cooperation is the key to our being able
to have an impact and make progress -- and we are.
There are leaders from civil society here and they are, all of them, bolstering the networks that are being built around the world to try to
fight back, increasingly creating sophisticated strategies and that's the only way we're going to succeed in this battle.
It's a battle against money, it's a battle against evil. And it's quite remarkable that, in the year 2015, we face a modern version of
slavery, something we actually fought a civil war over here in this country. It is vital for us to be able to push back against this.
I am particularly grateful to the entire Trafficking in Persons team, who stood up a few moments ago. I'm grateful to Kari Johnstone, who has
been the acting director, and Sarah Sewall, who has overall supervisory responsibilities for this task.
But it's really a task that is brought together by every division, every office, every mission of the entire State Department.
This report is the product of really an entire year-long effort. These folks will leave here today and they begin on next year's report. And it
is a constant process of following up with the employees at our diplomatic posts around the world, gathering facts, information, and helping to lay it
out.
And this report is important because it really is one of the best means that we have as individuals to speak up for adults and children who
lack any effective platform whatsoever through which they are able to speak for themselves.
Because of its credibility, this report is also a source of validation and inspiration to activists on every single continent who are striving to
end this scourge of modern slavery.
I want to emphasize, as I did last month when we issued a report on our human rights observations around the world, the purpose of this
document is not to scold and it's not to name and shame. It is to enlighten and to energize and, most importantly, to empower people.
And by issuing it, we want to bring to the public's attention the full nature and scope of a $150 billion illicit trafficking industry. And it is
an industry.
Pick up today's "New York Times," front page story about a young Cambodian boy promised a construction job in Thailand; goes across the
border, finds himself held by armed men and ultimately is pressed into service on the seas -- three years at sea --
[10:20:00]
KERRY: -- shackled by his neck to the boat so that he can't escape and take off when they're around other boats. If that isn't slavery and
imprisonment, I don't know what is.
We want to provide evidence and facts that will help people who are already striving to achieve reforms to alleviate suffering and to hold
people accountable. We want to provide a strong incentive for governments at every level to do all that they can to prosecute trafficking and to
shield at-risk populations.
And in conveying these messages, let me acknowledge that even here in the United States, we Americans need to listen and improve. Like every
nation, we have a responsibility to do better -- a better job of protecting those who live within our own borders, whose passports are taken away from
them, who are imprisoned for labor purposes or for sex trafficking.
This morning, we are honored to welcome, as has become our tradition, eight truly remarkable human beings -- eight people who have distinguished
themselves in the quest to stop trafficking. I might add that, where they live, many of these people do so at great personal risk.
These men and women have journeyed from as far away as Africa, the Baltics, South America and Europe in order to be with us today. They are
genuine heroes -- courageous individuals who are helping to prevent trafficking and to assist victims, to secure the release of captives and to
enhance legal protections for the vulnerable, to educate the public and to expose the -- and to end the loathsome practice of child sex tourism.
My friends, thank you for being here and thank you for helping to reinforce what these heroes are doing. And if there is a single theme that
connects the diverse work of these heroes, it is the conviction that there is nothing inevitable about trafficking in human beings. It's a choice.
That conviction is where the process of change really begins, with the realization that just because a certain abuse has taken place in the past
doesn't mean that we have to tolerate that abuse in the future or that we can afford to avert our eyes and pretend that we just don't know what's
going on.
Instead, we need to each be asking ourselves, what if that victim of trafficking was somebody we knew?
What if it was a neighbor?
Or still worse, as a nightmare, what if it was a son or a daughter or a relative?
The more we ask these questions, the more each of us will understand that not only is this a fight that we have to attempt, not only do we have
a responsibility to bring every aspect of our institutions of our government together in order to push back and to educate and to make people
aware of this, but it's a fight we absolutely have to win. It is a modern- day human rights challenge of enormous proportions.
And we always need to draw strength from the fact that momentum in human rights work is a very powerful force.
When criminals in one city are arrested for using children in the commercial sex trade, believe me, the pressure on authorities in nearby
cities to make arrests builds.
When country A becomes known for its success in putting human traffickers in jail, the leaders in country B are drawn into a virtuous
competition.
And when the practice of using forced labor to catch fish, to process meat, to sew clothing, to assemble toys is exposed, then authorities will
have a good reason to look at other industries.
And consumers will then have cause to question the origins of the global supply chains of what they have chosen to buy and what is placed
before them in stores or online.
I don't have to tell this audience that traffickers are both ruthless and relentless. They know how to exploit the hopes of those desperate to
escape poverty or to find shelter from disaster or from strife.
Traffickers prey upon the most vulnerable. They target the weak --
[10:25:00]
KERRY: -- the despairing, the isolated. And they make false promises and transport their victims across borders to labor without passports or
phones in places where the language is unknown and where there are no means of escape.
If the victims rebel or become ill, the traffickers often use violence to ensure that their profits continue and their crimes are concealed. And
that is why this TIP Report needs to be read as a call to action.
Governments need to strengthen and enforce the laws that they have on the books and prosecutors must take pride in turning today's traffickers
into tomorrow's prisoners.
The private sector also needs to be a part of this effort by blowing the whistle on companies that use labor that is underage, underpaid and
under coercion.
Investigative journalists can continue to assist by shining the spotlight -- as "The New York Times," Reuters, AP and "The Guardian" and
CNN and others recently have -- and on the abuses in the seafood and other industries.
Advocacy groups, faith groups, faith leaders, educators and researchers should continue to intensify the pressure for bold action so
that together we will win more battles in a fight that will surely last for some time to come.
And throughout, we have to be true to the principle that, although money may be used for many things, we must never, ever allow a price tag to
be attached to the heart and soul and freedom of a fellow human being.
A few years ago -- I guess actually, if the truth be told, 40 years ago -- when I was a prosecutor in Boston, I launched one of our country's
very first Violence against Women divisions in the district attorney's office.
We were determined at that time that people should not be victimized twice -- once by the crime and then again by the system. We even
prosecuted a man for raping a woman who was a prostitute -- a case that no one thought we could win, but we did, because "no" means "no"; "against
will" means "against will"; and in those situations, force is never acceptable.
Today, as secretary of state, I look around and I am deeply inspired by the efforts that are being made in America and countries on every
continent to push back against the bullies and the exploiters.
I'm inspired by the leadership that we have seen from our commander in chief, from Congress, from civil society, from the religious community and
from our many overseas partners.
I welcome President Obama's nomination of Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Coppedge to serve as the next director of the TIP office with the
rank of ambassador-at-large.
And I am inspired each day by the efforts of our own diplomats and staff, and especially the dedicated and tireless Kari Johnstone and her
team over here, who I ask now -- I ask her --
-- Kari, if you'd come up here and join me so that we can honor -- individually and collectively -- the anti-trafficking heroes that we have
among us this morning.
First, I ask Ms. Betty Pedraza Lozano from Colombia to stand. I don't know if we have anybody to translate. I am not absolutely fluent in
Spanish and she only speaks Spanish.
But today, we recognize your steadfast efforts to restore the rights of adults and children who have been victimized by human trafficking, your
commitment to help survivors and your relentless advocacy for victim care.
Ms. Pedraza, congratulations and thank you so much for what you have done. Thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: Muchas gracias.
From Latvia, Ms. Gita Miruskina.
And we recognize -- Gita, we recognize your relentless campaign to enhance the legal understanding of human trafficking in Latvia and
throughout the European Union. Your dedication to assisting victims and your excellence in providing legal services to the survivors of modern
slavery are extraordinary. Thank you very, very much. Thank you so much.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: Thank you. Thank you.
[10:30:00]
KERRY: All the way from Madagascar, Ms. Norotiana Ramboarivelo Jeannoda, and she has achieved remarkable accomplishments in launching the
National Union of Social Workers to promote human rights.
Your staunch advocacy for improvements in your country's anti- trafficking laws and your extraordinary efforts to support and protect victims, thank you so much. We appreciate it.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: Next, Ms. Catherine Groenendijk-Nabukwasi from South Sudan, we recognize your hard work in caring for and protecting children who are
vulnerable to trafficking, your steadfast commitment to the right of every girl and boy to an education and your persistent engagement to increase
justice for survivors of modern slavery. Congratulations and thank you very, very much.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: Mr. Moses Binoga is here from Uganda.
Mr. Binoga, we thank you for your leadership role in your country's anti-human trafficking taskforce, your sustained efforts to increase public
awareness of trafficking and your unwavering support for the victims. Thank you so much and congratulations.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: Now, from the United Kingdom, Ms. Parosha Chandran. We recognize she's a barrister.
And we recognize your landmark initiative to develop and advance the rule of law on trafficking in the United Kingdom and abroad, your support
for victims and your unparalleled achievement in providing legal services to those who have endured and survived modern slavery. Thank you so much
and congratulations.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: And closer to home, from the United States, Mr. Tony Maddox.
Mr. Maddox, we congratulate you for your sustained campaign to raise public awareness and understanding of human trafficking on a global scale,
your advocacy on behalf of victims and your dedication to ensuring that survivors and their stories are heard. Congratulations to you and well
done.
(APPLAUSE)
KERRY: And finally, from Iraq, Ms. Ameena Hasan.
Ms. Hasan, we honor you for your courageous efforts on behalf of the Yazidi religious minority in Northern Iraq, for insisting that the world
give heed to the horrors that they face and for your firm commitment to helping the victims and saving lives. We congratulate you and invite you
to say a few words about your work and about the situation that now exists in Iraq. Ms. Hasan, thank you.
(APPLAUSE)
SESAY: All right. We're going to break away there from the ceremony here at the U.S. State Department in Washington. Secretary of State John
Kerry just speaking there on the release of the United States Trafficking in Persons Report, just released today. It's an annual report. It's been
release for many years for more than a decade, to be precise. And on this day, in addition to speaking about this specific report and what it means
to the fight against human trafficking the secretary of state also honoring the work of individuals and also a certain media organization, not to
gloat, but to put in context and acknowledge the fact that CNN, this network, has been acknowledged for its work in the fight against human
trafficking. Our executive vice president and managing director of CNN International, Tony Maddox, accepting --
[10:35:00]
SESAY: -- the accolades there, the secretary of state making clear that CNN has had a long running commitment to this issue, which is why we
are here and have been on the story for almost five years now, committed to shining a light on this program, this problem which sees more than 20
million people enslaved, while some people putting that number as high as over 30 million people. We remain committed to shining a light on these
issues and providing a voice for victims and, of course, more importantly, for survivors.
I want to bring in Andrea Powell. She's the executive director of an anti-trafficking organization here in the United States, FAIR Girls.
Andrea, you were listening to the remarks by the secretary of state there. I was struck that he said this report, the Trafficking in Persons
Report, is not about naming and shaming countries; it's about energizing the fight against human trafficking.
What did you make of that? Because some people would say this is very much about naming and shaming.
POWELL: Right. And the bottom line is this report is the baseline for which countries around the world have their efforts to combat modern-
day slavery, which is what the secretary rightly called human trafficking in his speech, and their efforts to really eradicate the problem.
And, again, you know, this is not necessarily just about naming and shaming but it is shameful. If you are on Tier 2 Watch List and downgraded
to Tier 3 and that does happen, both as an auto-downgrade and a deliberate downgrade.
So this effort really, by this report, is both to energize and to use shaming as a tool to energize but also to recognize heroic efforts by
countries and individuals in those countries to combat this huge human rights violation that's worldwide.
Secretary of State Kerry also made the point that the United States needs to pay attention to this issue, that people right here need to pay
attention to victims and survivors right here.
Talk to us about the scale of the problem here in the U.S. You work on this issue with your group, FAIR Girls. Tell us about the scale of the
problem and how you are working to combat it.
POWELL: Human trafficking does happen right here in the United States and people, again, they often think it's happening -- people coming into
the United States from other countries. But the majority, in fact over 90 percent of the young people that we serve at FAIR Girls are U.S. citizens.
And people are often --
SESAY: Over 90 percent?
POWELL: -- yes, over 90 percent of the girls that we serve are U.S. citizens, mostly coming from local communities because trafficking is a
business. The traffickers want to reduce their risk and increase their profits. What better way than to take a runaway or homeless girl? We have
over 200,000 homeless children throughout the United States. Over 70 percent of the girls who we service here at FAIR Girls -- and, again, it
doesn't just happen to girls -- they are in the foster care system. Over 90 percent were already victimized through sexual abuse prior to being
trafficked. So just like what Secretary Kerry said, this is an opportunity for traffickers to take advantage of those who are most vulnerable. And so
when we're thinking about how the United States can combat this problem, we need to focus on reducing those vulnerabilities by increasing access to
services funding for shelters for not only children but adults. FAIR Girls runs a shelter for young adult women. We here in the nation's capital have
six beds. But six beds for the over 100 girls who we identify every year, of which more than half are young adults.
And so while there's really appreciable change, both in civil society and in government efforts, we have a lot more to do if we genuinely want to
eradicate human trafficking here in the United States.
SESAY: I think that's a very important point because the way the ranking systems of the Trafficking in Persons Report work is that remain in
that Tier 1, which is where the United States is, to remain there, you have to demonstrate appreciable progress to remain in that category.
And you say from your work, you do see progress.
POWELL: We absolutely see progress here in the United States as well as on the local level. We're based here in Washington, D.C. So if you
look at the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, it states that any child who's involved in any form of commercial sex is automatically identified as
a victim of trafficking. But that does not mean is that they can't be arrested or prosecuted. So we're going state by state to ensure that
children are safe from prosecution and we need to make sure that all victims -- and this is a next step for the United States -- all victims
need to be protected from arrest and those who are arrested, say for prostitution or other charges, they need those records vacated. They need
to be brought whole as a legal citizen and offered services.
If you're a foreign national victim and you're brought here to the United States, you have access to what's called a T visa. That's a
trafficking visa. That gets you access to services, both legal, medical; access to funds to rebuild your life.
But often U.S. citizens are left out in the cold. They are left with an arrest record that disables them from getting a job, from going to
school, from finding housing and so we need to start to look at victims truly as victims. And we need to listen to the voices of survivors --
[10:40:00]
POWELL: -- both of labor trafficking and sex trafficking to ensure that what we're doing is consistent with the needs of those who really have
been through it the most and thus are the experts on the issue.
SESAY: As you talk about the work that needs to be done to support, to maybe rescue victims, to support survivors, where are we with
prosecutions here in the United States and progress on that, Secretary Kerry making the point that he wants to see today's traffickers become
tomorrow's prisoners.
Where are we with that?
POWELL: Well, that's a great statement. I have to say. But the Department of Justice is definitely making progress and increasing
prosecutions, again, both on the labor side and the sex trafficking side. But we have so much more to do, so many victims, thousands of victims, they
don't want to come forward. They're afraid of being arrested. They're afraid of retaliation.
I can think of one young girl who was trafficked from Central America years ago as a young child, 18, was identified by the FBI, brought to FAIR
Girls, offered intensive services. And this is not just a rescue mission. This is years of recovery.
But at the end of the day, it's not only that the traffickers are here but they have networks back in their home countries. She's afraid of what
would happen to her family. And so her traffickers likely will not be prosecuted and she does not want to come forward. And I understand that.
This is a serious problem.
But that being said, we're finding more innovative ways, more tools through legislation and through task forces. There's over 45 task forces
throughout the United States as NGOs and law enforcement to make sure that prosecutions are taken out of the hands of victims and brought into the
hands of the law.
SESAY: Yes, yes. Andrea, I so appreciate your insight and perspective on this issue. We thank you for joining us today and being
here by my side as Secretary Kerry made his remarks and those eight individuals and media organization CNN were acknowledged for their
outstanding efforts in the fight against human trafficking.
But you heard us in this conversation with Andrea discuss the scale of the problem, the scale of human trafficking here in the United States. But
this is a global issue. As we said, according to the International Labor Organization, they put the number of those being trafficked at about 20
million, those being trafficked as objects of modern-day slavery. That number, according to some groups, is as high as 38 million. We want to
focus in now on one group of people who are often trafficked and exploited, domestic workers. Activists say many people who work in Asia receive no
legal protection, leaving them vulnerable to abuse.
As part of our CNN Freedom Project, Kristie Lu Stout brings us some of their stories. But we have to warn you, her report contains some very
disturbing images.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Doused in boiling water, beaten with sticks, threatened with murder, just a few examples of the
physical and mental abuse is told by migrant domestic workers in Asia and the Middle East. A photo exhibition in Hong Kong this month taken by
award-winning photographer Steve McCurry aims to expose the extent of that suffering.
"SUSI", DOMESTIC WORKER (through translator): Every day it was only four hours of sleep. She hit me everywhere on my body, my back, my face.
She also kicked me. When I worked, she would yell at me. I was very scared. But I couldn't escape. She wouldn't let me go out.
STOUT (voice-over): This Indonesian worker, who goes by the name "Susi," is profiled in the exhibit after she was repeatedly attacked and
threatened by her Hong Kong employer.
"SUSI" (through translator): I was afraid of dying because I have a son waiting for me at home. I'm here in Hong Kong just to earn some money.
She said she could beat me to death and beat my family. I'm terrified, so I had to listen to her. She treated me not like a human but like a slave.
STOUT (voice-over): "Susi" managed to escape after a year, but her employer, Ms. Law Wan-tung, went on to abuse fellow Indonesian worker,
Erwiana, who was hospitalized after months of torture. Ms. Law was later convicted of multiple charges and sentenced to six years in jail.
But many other workers who face such abuse will probably never see justice served.
ELIZABETH TANG, INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS GROUP: Domestic workers are the most vulnerable group of because they are invisible, they
are isolated and they are usually from minorities or migrant communities.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
STOUT (voice-over): One victim in the exhibit, Sumasri, says she was scalded with boiling water by her Malaysian boss. Sritak said she had a
searing hot metal fork pressed into her skin while working in Taiwan. In Saudi Arabia, Haryatin says that she was hit in the head with a metal pipe
and left permanently blind.
Another victim, now known as Pavitra, was raped and made pregnant by her employer in Amman then jailed for seduction for five months.
KAREN EMMONS, EXHIBITION PRODUCER: The horrors that they had gone through, I wanted people to know. I want to reach out to people who can
make a difference. And reach out maybe to employers --
[10:45:00]
EMMONS: -- tell them somebody's watching.
STOUT (voice-over): Focusing attention on the misery that goes on behind closed doors is the main aim of the project, to press governments to
do more to protect domestic workers to come to their country in search of a better life -- Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: And the hope is that the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report just released here in the United States will do just that, that it will
energize the fight against human trafficking, that it will catalyze efforts to see this problem defeated once and for all. Secretary of State John
Kerry speaking just a short time ago about what they hope to achieve with this report now in its 15th year and also acknowledging the efforts of
eight heroes, as they call them, here at the State Department, including CNN, CNN's Freedom Project, which that report you just watched was part of.
It's the first media organization to be recognized as a Trafficking in Persons Hero for their efforts in fighting human trafficking, modern-day
slavery. It's a major acknowledgement of the efforts of this network and the efforts of many, many others here in the United States and around the
world, beyond CNN.
We're going to take a very quick break and we'll be right back.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Hello and welcome to the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Lynda Kinkade and here are the headlines.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE (voice-over): In its new report on the global fight against modern-day slavery, the U.S. State Department reports 18 countries have
improved but just as many have fallen behind in failing to address human trafficking. Cuba, Kenya and Saudi Arabia are among those showing
improvement while Egypt, Ghana and Bulgaria are among those doing much worse.
U.S. President Barack Obama is urging the African Union to keep up the pressure on the militant group Al-Shabaab. Mr. Obama spoke from Ethiopia
which is playing a key role in the campaign. The president says African forces have made advances but Al-Shabaab still threatens death and
destruction.
The Taliban say they have released more than 100 Afghan police officers who surrendered in Northern Afghanistan. The provincial police
spokesman says the local commander struck a deal with the Taliban after days of heavy fighting. An investigation is underway.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Donald Trump continues to lead the Republican race for U.S. president. The latest CNN/ORC poll shows the billionaire business man with
a 3 percentage point lead over Jeb Bush. CNN's Athena Jones joins us now from Washington on this.
And, Athena, Trump continues to be slammed over -- for his controversial remarks. But this national poll shows he's clearly ahead.
Why is that?
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it's really interesting. That's the question a lot of folks are asking. You have Trump's own
Republican rivals for the nomination saying that he -- his tone is offensive, his rhetoric is inflammatory and divisive and yet he's clearly
appealing to a certain segment of the population, a certain segment of the Republican Party.
Who are those folks? Well, our poll shows that of the people asked if the government in Washington represents their views, 53 percent of
Republicans say it doesn't represent their views at all, the government in Washington.
That number was 27 percent for Democrats.
[10:50:00]
JONES: But of those Republicans, the ones who are mad at Washington, Trump is very much in the lead. He polls at 24 percent compared to Jeb
Bush's 13 percent. And so that gives us some clue as to who it is that is really interested in what Trump has to say. It's disgruntled voters,
disgruntled Republicans, who are upset at the way Washington is working right now -- Lynda.
KINKADE: And Athena, when looking at possible general election scenarios, how would Donald Trump fare against Hillary Clinton?
JONES: Well, that's another very good question. Of course, a lot of folks say he's not going to make to the general. But what if he were to
make it to the general election? Well, he polls 16 points behind Hillary Clinton. She would get 56 percent of the vote to Trump's just 40 percent.
And one more thing I should add here is that Bernie Sanders, he's the distant second on the Democratic side in terms of candidates running, but
even Bernie Sanders would beat Donald Trump by a significant amount, in this case Sanders would bring in 59 percent of the vote; Trump would just
get 38 percent. So it shows that his broad -- his popularity among some in the Republican Party doesn't look like it will translate when it comes to
the general public and to the broader population of voters -- Lynda.
KINKADE: And despite Donald Trump leading against the Republican candidates, he takes the cake when it comes to negative image across the
nation, doesn't he?
JONES: He does. In fact, he has the highest unfavorability rating of any of the folks we polled; Democrats 80 percent have a unfavorable view of
him; 53 percent of independents have an unfavorable view and 42 percent for Republicans. You add all that together, average it out, it ends up with 59
percent having an unfavorable view. That's nearly six in 10. That's quite a lot. And that would be a big hurdle for Trump to have to try to overcome
if he were to last until the general -- Lynda.
KINKADE: Athena Jones, thank you very much for all that analysis, for bringing the latest polls, very interesting. We will be right back after
this short break.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KINKADE: Welcome back to the INTERNATIONAL DESK.
After weeks of relative calm, the headaches and worries returned on Shanghai's stock market today.
[10:55:00]
KINKADE: Andrew Stevens takes a look at what's behind this latest volatility.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If Beijing thought it had calmed China's out of control stock market plunge by throwing unprecedented
amounts of money at it, well, events on Monday have forced it to think again. Trading went right back to its recent head-spinning past with
another rout, the Shanghai Composite falling almost 8.5 percent. That's the biggest fall in more than eight years and it means that billions more
dollars have now been wiped off the value of stocks held by small retail investors.
But most worrying to Beijing is that this new selloff comes just three weeks after authorities took unprecedented steps to stop this happening.
This big fall, the plunge that wiped 32 percent of the value of the Shanghai market in just 18 trading sessions; that's a little more than
three weeks.
Bold steps banning big shareholders from selling, ordering state-owned institutions to buy, comping money into the market, cutting interest rates,
all of them designed to stop that rout. And it actually worked. As you can see here, it bottomed out here and the market rebounded 16 percent over
the past three weeks until Monday. Why today? Well, it's not yet clear. One catalyst may have been that there's new data showing that profits that
Chinese industrial companies fell in June by a third of 1 percent, that wasn't expected. And it underlines just how weak in Chinese terms, at
least, the world's biggest -- second biggest economy is becoming.
But the more likely story is -- and one that's more difficult to quantify -- is that the authorities stepped back from the market this
Monday, perhaps they were lulled into a false sense of security that, after three weeks of gains, the worst was over.
Investors, though, had other ideas. Many of them are holding stocks they bought with borrowed money. It's called margin lending. And they
want to get out of the market, get rid of that debt. And that leads to the big question, will the authorities now let this bear market run its natural
course? Or will they step in aggressively once again to shore the market up?
Investors made it pretty clear on Monday they want out. But in China, it's the government that decides how this story will play out -- Andrew
Stevens, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Now that does it for this edition of the INTERNATIONAL DESK. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Stay with us on CNN for CONNECT THE WORLD."
(MUSIC PLAYING)
END
