More coordinated approach against TIP needed – Human Services Minister

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud called for a coordinated approach against trafficking in persons as her Ministry hosted an awareness walk to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking In Persons 2022.
While addressing supporters of anti-trafficking in persons, on Friday, Dr Persaud said that there must be a coordinated approach between different agencies, Ministries, and private sector entities against trafficking in persons.
“…we are all in blue, the colour that represents the stance against trafficking in persons but there are many more things that we ought to do and one of those things that we must have is a coordinated approach against trafficking in persons which means every agency, every department, every Ministry, every private sector entity, every mission, we need to stand and not only rise our voices against trafficking in persons, but we need to encourage people to report it. That is the only way that we will be able to really help someone who is being trafficked,” she said.
The Minister said that the fight against trafficking in persons is not a “one-man or a one-woman or a one-agency battle”, but a battle that involves everyone as many times those who are trafficked are not able to report that they are being trafficked.
“Many times, those who are trafficked are not able to report this for themselves. Many times, we have to do this. It is a big responsibility, but I think it’s a responsibility when you recognise the impact of those persons’ lives, you want to take it on as your own. This is not a one man, or one woman, or one agency battle, it is a battle that should involve everyone,” she expressed.

On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Magistrate Christel Lambert gave insights on the trial of trafficking in persons and the international best practices adopted by the justice system to not only enhance the prosecution of this crime but also to provide protection to victims.
Magistrate Lambert said that Guyana’s commitment to preventing this form of serious modern-day slavery has seen the enactment of the Combatting Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005.
Against this backdrop, Magistrate Lambert assured that victims are protected in such a way that they are not prosecuted while being heard for certain types of offences they may have engaged in while being trafficked, such as immigration-related offences.
“So, we would like persons out there, who are undocumented in our country, to know that they will not be prosecuted and that they should not be afraid to come forward,” she said.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan spoke about the trial process, noting that the majority of human trafficking cases are disposed of in the Magistrates’ Courts.
Once a matter is filed in the court and the accused is arraigned, she said, “the court’s role is to conduct a victim-centred, trauma-informed, speedy trial which aims at avoiding revictimisation.”
Meanwhile, Dr Persaud launched a hand signal to counter trafficking in persons. Victims of trafficking in persons are required to clasp their fingers into their palms and release them in a repeated motion three times to signal for help.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed on July 30 in a bid to raise awareness about the ordeal of human trafficking victims and the ways to safeguard their rights.
This year, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is held under the theme “Use and Abuse of Technology”. It focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.
Trafficking in persons is a crime in Guyana and is punishable by imprisonment of a minimum sentence of not less than three years and a maximum sentence of not more than five years, according to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (G2)