Government has dismissed the latest report by the United States on human trafficking describing it is a gross misrepresentation of the reality on ground. The report, released by the US State Department Thursday, placed Rwanda under the Tier 2 Watch List that features it as a transit and destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution. “What this report says about my country has nothing to do with reality or facts on the ground. It has much more to do with politics serving some purpose, played by some known groups and interests, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the US, Mathilde Mukantabana said in a statement. She added: Vague and subjective standard of lack of continuing improvement has been used to downgrade Rwanda, despite ample evidence to the contrary, some of which the report itself documents More than any government in similar circumstances, the Government of Rwanda has deployed significant means to protect and ensure the well-being of refugees. Mukantabana pointed out that Rwandas efforts to provide for people from the region who sought refuge in various parts of Rwanda is based on the countrys long-standing values rather than any external reports. Rwanda continues to put in place various efforts and mechanisms to protect its citizens from human trafficking. Mukantabana added that the report is a deliberate misrepresentation of how these issues are being addressed in Rwanda. It ultimately damages the international effort, to which Rwanda is no less committed than the United States, to protect people especially women and girls from human trafficking and sexual exploitation. I categorically reject this report, its conclusions and the false allegations to support them, she said.
