Release of the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report
On July 19, the Department of State released the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, otherwise known as the “TIP Report.” The TIP Report is the most comprehensive global resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts and the United States’ principal diplomatic and diagnostic tool to guide international governments on human trafficking.
In this year’s report, Serbia was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List category as the Government of Serbia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.
These efforts included investigating more suspects and revising indicators to identify trafficking victims among schoolchildren. The government increased resources to the Center for Protection of Trafficking Victims (CPTV), which established agreements with companies to secure food, hygiene products, and other donations for victims. The government developed a coordination body to support victims during criminal proceedings, formed four Special Workings Groups on various antitrafficking issues, and designated the Ombudsman as the National Rapporteur on trafficking. However, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its antitrafficking capacity. The government did not make proactive efforts to identify victims, and the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for identification remained inadequate. CPTV continued to lack the staff, skills, and resources necessary to consistently assess victims and coordinate care placement; the CPTV-run shelter remained closed due to its inability to obtain a license. The AntiTrafficking Council did not meet, and the government did not adopt the 2021-2022 national action plan (NAP). Official complicity in trafficking crimes remained a concern. The government did not fully protect victims or fully investigate credible allegations that approximately 500 Vietnamese workers were subjected to forced labor at a People’s Republic of China (PRC)-owned factory.
For more information:
- Secretary Blinken’s remarks
- Full Report in English language
- Serbia Country Specific in English language (PDF 317 KB)
- Serbia Country Specific in Serbian language (PDF 410 KB)
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