State Dept Report: Virus pandemic has led to rise in human trafficking

Washington (AFP) – The United States on Thursday warned that instability sparked by the global coronavirus pandemic has opened the door to increased human trafficking.

Washington also added Afghanistan, Algeria, Lesotho and Nicaragua to its blacklist on human trafficking in its annual report on the illegal practice.

“While urgency has always marked the fight against human trafficking, the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have magnified the need for all stakeholders to work together in the fight more than ever,” Pompeo said in the report’s introduction.”We know that human traffickers prey up…