The United States has released a list of countries sponsoring human trafficking. It includes Russia and Belarus, among others, according to the US State Department.
"The 2024 TIP Report includes the following 13 countries with a documented “policy or pattern” of human trafficking, trafficking in government-funded programs, forced labor in government-affiliated medical services or other sectors, sexual slavery in government camps, or the employment or recruitment of child soldiers," the report says.
In particular, the list includes,
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burma
- China
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Iran
- DPRK
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkmenistan.
Ukraine's reaction
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that such information is not surprising, as Russia is an aggressor country that has been violating human rights in Ukraine for 10 years.
"However, such lists, condemnation of Russia's actions by other states, may eventually have a powerful result in stopping crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice," he says.
Earlier it was reported that Russia has stepped up its efforts to recruit mercenaries in different countries. The offers include cash payments and, in some cases, even Russian citizenship.
However, not all mercenaries are willing to risk their lives for dubious benefits. There are cases of early release at the request of India of its citizens who worked in the Russian army.
Many mercenaries from Sri Lanka who had already taken part in hostilities were killed.