Sunday, October 16, 2011

US state department concerned by lack of UK help for abused embassy staff

6:24 AM | Posted by Free Game Zone | Edit Post



International Gift

layer diplomatic immunity to hide the traffic officials in their country of origin

. Human Trafficking: How the cards United States at home

The U.S. State Department expressed concern about the abuse of domestic workers working in foreign embassies in London, saying that the repeated allegations of abuse were not addressed by the government.

a report on human trafficking on Monday warned that international diplomatic influence are often brought from their home country, then hide behind the cloak of diplomatic immunity. These workers are particularly vulnerable, with some prisoners held in virtual embassies, passports withheld, to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week for low wages. In the worst cases, they are intimidated and assaulted.

"We've seen enough reports of abuses against domestic workers by diplomats in London who were not treated as we work with our partners to achieve - which, if not better word - a standard in the industry, "said Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, who heads the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, in an interview in Washington.

He said the U.S. was planning an international conference next year to bring together countries that have a diplomatic presence to reach an agreement to prevent such abuses.

In its report on human trafficking in more than 400 pages, deals with the most comprehensive in the human world, the State Department a list of examples of modern slavery from the circulation sex with child labor, and includes the abuse of embassy staff.

It ranks countries according to how you try to eliminate trafficking. Britain is ranked in the top level, but the report notes on abuse of diplomats: "Some domestic workers are subjected to forced labor by diplomats from the United Kingdom there is concern that these employers have diplomatic immunity prosecution .. "

CdeBaca said: "One of the things we've seen is that because of diplomatic immunity, which are an important part of international diplomacy, resources for people who are abused or enslaved by someone who was limited diplomatic. "

CdeBaca said that countries could meet international standards of diplomatic immunity and further restrict the behavior of diplomats. "If the diplomats know they will be held to the same level of responsibility to treat their staff if they are in Paris, Brussels, London or DC, it is expected that changes in the general approach for the treatment of all staff those of diplomacy. "

There have been 19 recent cases of alleged trafficking

domestic workers by diplomats in London reported to the fight against trafficking, the government agency of charity Kalayaan.

Kalayaan, which supports victims of human trafficking and migrant workers victims of abuse or exploitation, says the problem is much larger than the reported cases. Many abuses are too terrified to report their pain, fear of losing their immigration status, and are desperate for work to support families. About 300 domestic workers accompanying their employers British diplomatic each year.
  • The State Department in an effort to address abuses in the United States, called last year for foreign diplomats and warn them, saying that domestic workers must be paid in the future, by electronic transfer. Diplomats have said how allegations of abuse are dealt with warnings that could prevent the embassies to provide domestic staff in the future.
CdeBaca also welcomed the progress made in Belgium, Austria and Switzerland.
"We hope to get some of these countries have a large diplomatic presence in concert at some point next year, so we can try to understand what is the best practice, what works, what does not work. Part of this is that we can make our systems here in the best United States, but also so that we can reach an industry standard, "said CdeBaca.

Belgium, the headquarters of the European Union and United Nations diplomats, requires that domestic workers have their papers renewed periodically. Employees present talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, without their employer, and if they confide about the abuse, diplomats can be expelled or allowed to provide domestic service in their own country.

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