In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith » Bush upgrade of Sudan's status draws protest

Bush upgrade of Sudan’s status draws protest

Posted on October 18th, 2005 by Anthony K. Valley

A coalition of groups opposing slavery in Sudan are protesting President Bush’s decision to reward the radical Islamic regime in Khartoum for alleged measures to curb human trafficking.

The Sudan Campaign said the decision to upgrade Sudan’s slavery status yesterday from Tier III – the lowest possible ranking – to Tier II has been done without the State Department or Khartoum providing evidence of change.

Switzerland, Israel, Chile, Hungary and Greece are among the Tier II states.

A State Department memorandum justifying the Sept. 21 presidential determination claimed the Sudanese government had made “significant efforts” to bring itself into compliance with U.S. anti-trafficking legislation.

The head of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, or TIP, Ambassador John Miller, reported Sept. 27 that Sudan and five other countries had taken “real steps” to combat slavery, including: Establishing new police anti-trafficking units, arresting and charging traffickers, passing anti-trafficking laws, opening victims shelters, holding bilateral meetings to establish anti-trafficking cooperation and establishing victims hotlines.

The State Department’s Memorandum of Justification defended the determination on the grounds that the Government of Sudan has made unspecified “commitments” to implement anti-trafficking measures during the next 12 months.

[ Full Story @ WorldNetDaily.com ]