[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

TONGA (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Tonga does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.  The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Tonga was upgraded to Tier 2.  These efforts included initiating a trafficking investigation for the first time since 2018, developing victim identification and referral guidelines for police, issuing instructions to police on investigating trafficking crimes, and forming a task force to draft a NAP.  However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.  The government did not identify any victims, initiate any trafficking prosecutions, systematically screen vulnerable populations for trafficking, or provide training to its officials.  Tonga has not convicted a trafficker since 2011.

Prioritized Recommendations

Fully implement procedures for proactive identification of trafficking victims among vulnerable groups.

Increase efforts to proactively investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes.

Amend trafficking laws to criminalize all forms of trafficking in line with the definition under international law, including trafficking crimes lacking cross-border movement.

Develop, adopt, fund, and implement a NAP.

Provide explicit protections and benefits for trafficking victims, such as restitution, legal and medical benefits, and immigration relief.

Develop and conduct anti-trafficking information and education campaigns.

Accede to the 2000 UN TIP Protocol.