WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- U.S. allies Japan and Pakistan are on a watch list of countries that do not comply with a U.S. human trafficking act, the U.S. State Department said Monday.
In its document, "Trafficking in Persons Report," the department also lists Cuba and North Korea among 10 countries facing sanctions for failing to satisfy minimum standards or attempt to comply with the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
As many as 800,000 people are trafficked across borders each year, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday while releasing the report.
Last year the report identified 15 countries that could face sanctions.
"Trafficking is ... a global security threat because profits from trafficking finance still more crime and violence, including very likely terrorist violence," Powell said.
The State Department is required by law to report each year to Congress on efforts by foreign governments to fight human trafficking. This year's report is the department's fourth.
