Officials of the US Embassy in Dhaka Thursday said the country will release its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2022 next week.

Calling the report the "world's most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts," the officials said it will contain information on 188 countries, including the US in 22 chapters.

"The US believes the fight against human trafficking is crucial because it is a crime that exists around the world, including in the US. It poses a serious threat to individual welfare, public health, public safety, national security, economic development and prosperity," an official said at a press conference at the American Center in Dhaka.

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The report emphasises the efforts of the governments, not private organisations such as civil societies or international organisations. It also highlights possible steps and shortcomings in the governments' efforts to move forward to curb human trafficking.

Working against human trafficking is one of the priorities of the US Embassy in Dhaka, and the mission regularly engages with the Bangladesh government on this to provide adequate support, the officials said.

To improve protection services for persons rescued from trafficking and reduce the risk of human trafficking, the US Department of Justice provides training to Bangladeshi law enforcers, prosecutors and judges.

The United States Agency for International Development provides long-term support to improve protection services for trafficking survivors and reduce their vulnerability to trafficking.

"For the past five years, Bangladesh has been making progress in preventing human trafficking. We are grateful for the long-term cooperation with the Bangladesh government in the fight against human trafficking. Close cooperation between the NGOs and governments is important to stop this crime, and we believe it takes a combined effort of the society to eliminate human trafficking," the officials mentioned.

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The TIP Report classifies countries into three tiers based on their performance in combating human trafficking.

Tier 1 countries are those that have been assessed to completely comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act's minimum requirements for the abolition of trafficking.

Countries assessed as not fully meeting the minimum standards, but making significant efforts to meet them, are placed in Tier 2.

And countries assessed as not fully meeting the minimum standards and not making significant efforts to do so are ranked Tier 3.

Bangladesh moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in 2020.