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U.S. Downgrades Brazil, South Africa in Trafficking Report

10/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. State Department downgraded Brazil and South Africa to Tier 2 Watch List in 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, signaling insufficient progress and delayed release due to staffing cuts.
South Africa formed a task team and secured more convictions, but identifications and prosecutions declined.
Brazil saw fewer investigations and prosecutions, with no convictions under its 2016 anti-trafficking law.

History

Historical Context

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to combat human trafficking globally. In 2025, the U.S. State Department downgraded Brazil and South Africa in its Trafficking in Persons Report, citing Brazil's low conviction rates under its 2016 anti-trafficking law and South Africa's declining prosecutions, underscoring ongoing challenges in both nations' anti-trafficking efforts.

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Story summary

The U.S. State Department downgraded Brazil and South Africa to Tier 2 Watch List in 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, signaling insufficient progress and delayed release due to staffing cuts.
South Africa formed a task team and secured more convictions, but identifications and prosecutions declined.
Brazil saw fewer investigations and prosecutions, with no convictions under its 2016 anti-trafficking law.

1 / 2