“Madagascar remains on the Tier 2 Watchlist in the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, and it will take a concerted effort from all of us to prevent Madagascar from falling to Tier 3 in 2024. (…) I know that our developmental assistance and security cooperation are two bright spots in our bilateral relationship. Regrettably both of these areas could be severely limited if Madagascar falls to Tier 3.” U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Stephanie Arnold told key Madagascar Trafficking In Persons stakeholders during a reception at the Ambassador’s residence on September 28, 2023.
Along with a delegation from the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC ) East Africa office, the Deputy Chief of Mission reiterated the importance of the Government of Madagascar’s (GOM) demonstrated commitment to addressing Trafficking in Persons, and emphasized the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to supporting the GOM in these efforts in the implementation of the long-awaited anti-trafficking National Action Plan.
The U.S. Government’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, through UNODC, funds a 2-million dollar project to build capacity among law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges to better investigate, prosecute, and convict perpetrators of TIP. UNODC in East Africa is also implementing another USG-funded project focusing on amending anti-trafficking legislation and supporting the development and implementation of anti-trafficking national action plans.
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