00:00The United States have placed Brazil and South Africa on its human trafficking watch list.
00:06Officials say both countries failed to show sufficient progress
00:09in tackling forced labor, sex trafficking and modern slavery.
00:15The annual trafficking in persons report downgraded Brazil and South Africa to the Tier 2 watch list,
00:21warning they must take stronger action or face possible U.S. sanctions.
00:25While the report recognized some progress,
00:27it concluded that efforts in both countries fell short of international standards.
00:32In South Africa, officials established a new task team and secured more convictions against traffickers.
00:37But the report found sharp declines in victim identification, case investigations and new prosecutions.
00:44In Brazil, enforcement appeared weaker.
00:46The report cited fewer investigations, prosecutions and convictions compared with previous years.
00:52Diplomatic tensions also loomed over the downgrades.
00:54U.S. President Donald Trump had accused South Africa of persecuting white minorities,
01:00imposed tariffs and launched a special refugee program for them.
01:03Brazil faced its own penalties with tariffs, visa restrictions and financial sanctions
01:09following the trial and conviction of former President Jair Bolsonaro,
01:13who was once a close Trump ally.
01:14Brazil faced with over theуг
01:39..........
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