WASHINGTON,U.S.A. - A group of Democratic lawmakers called
on Monday for the U.S. State Department's internal watchdog to investigate the
removal of Malaysia from a list of worst offenders in human trafficking
following concerns that politics may have played a role in the decision.
The State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP)
report, issued in July, upgraded Malaysia from the lowest tier, potentially
smoothing the way for a landmark free-trade deal with the Southeast Asian
nation and 11 other countries.
Six members of the House of Representatives, including
outspoken trade critics Rosa DeLauro and Louise Slaughter(photo), wrote to State
Department Inspector General Steve Linick requesting a probe into why Malaysia
was moved up a rung.
They cited reports that Malaysia was not doing enough to
tackle human trafficking as well as a Reuters examination, published in August,
that said the State Department office set up to independently rate countries' efforts
was repeatedly overruled by senior U.S. diplomats.
"We are
concerned about the role that possible political influence may have played in
the development and content of the TIP Report, particularly as it relates to
Malaysia's status,"the letter said.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a
request for comment. State Department officials have denied any political
interference in the report.
Secretary of State John Kerry said last month that he had "zero conversation" within the administration about the Asia-Pacific trade talks relative to the decision on Malaysia's upgrade.
Secretary of State John Kerry said last month that he had "zero conversation" within the administration about the Asia-Pacific trade talks relative to the decision on Malaysia's upgrade.
Source: Reuters...More...
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