U.S. State Department report ranks Afghanistan and Bangladesh on human trafficking efforts

The U.S. Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report has categorized Afghanistan and Bangladesh differently regarding their efforts to combat human trafficking.

Afghanistan remains in Tier 3, indicating that the Taliban government does not fully meet minimum standards and is not making significant efforts to improve the situation. The report noted patterns of child soldier recruitment and sexual slavery, specifically mentioning the practice of ‘bacha bazi’. The State Department stated that the Taliban failed to report investigations, prosecutions, or convictions, and did not identify or protect victims.

In contrast, Bangladesh remains on Tier 2, as the government is making significant efforts to meet minimum standards. Improvements included passing the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Ordinance 2026 and piloting digital referral systems. However, the report noted that fewer traffickers were convicted than in the previous period and that internal trafficking crimes remain widespread.