We must have zero tolerance for human trafficking – Min Benn

…calls for more international support, resources to tackle scourge

As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons”, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has sounded calls for zero-tolerance against human trafficking as well as for more international support and resources to be injected into fighting this scourge.
The United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on Sunday under the theme: “Reach Every Victim of Trafficking, Leave no One Behind.”
In his message on this occasion, Minister Benn, who co-chairs the country’s Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, pointed out that Guyana, like other nations regionally and internationally, is not spared by those who deny humans their fundamental rights for the sake of profits and other exploitative gains.
“These nefarious individuals force, coerce, deceive, defraud, bribe, and blackmail others into exploitative and dangerous situations, where in many instances, freedom is restricted. That is not freedom. It is modern-day slavery. This is Trafficking in Persons or Human Trafficking, and we must have zero tolerance for such a clandestine act. Human Trafficking is a horrific crime and attacks our rights, freedoms, safety and dignity, which can affect anyone,” the Home Affairs Minister stated in a release to the press on Sunday.
According to Benn, human trafficking knows no boundaries as it thrives in the shadows, preying on the vulnerable and marginalised. From women and young girls forced into the sex trade to men coerced into labour exploitation, he noted that its impact is far-reaching and devastating, affecting the lives of many and leaving emotional and, in some cases, physical scars that may never heal.
To this end, the Minister noted that as the world observes this occasion, the Government of Guyana and its citizens reaffirm their unwavering commitment to this fight and their continued efforts to dismantle networks and prosecute perpetrators who commit this heinous act and bring justice to perpetrators.
“We will continue to offer our support to victims and survivors through various support systems and stakeholders. As this year’s theme focuses on “reaching every victim, leave no one behind”, it is imperative that we offer them solace and support and help these persons rebuild their lives with compassion and empathy,” he noted.
Consequently, Benn assured that his Ministry, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, the Guyana Police Force, and other members of the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons will remain vigilant of the evolving patterns of traffickers. This includes the use of online platforms to recruit persons, and its links to money laundering and drug trafficking.
In the same vein, however, he underscored the need to holistically address the root causes of Trafficking in Persons, migrant smuggling, vulnerability, and inequality at the regional and international levels.
“Today, let us all be the voices for the voiceless, advocates for change and more international support and resources, and the protectors of the most vulnerable, including migrants and Indigenous groups.”
“Each one of us has a role to play – so I urge you all to let us make every day a day against Trafficking in Persons or human trafficking. Let us all take a stand against exploitation and its elimination and stand in solidarity with our survivors.”
According to Minister Benn, the Guyana Government will continue to strengthen its educational campaigns, enforcement, and monitoring efforts, and implement policies that protect human rights. He also urged the general populace to report any suspicious activities in their communities to the 24hr hotline (623-5030 – English) or (624-0079 – Spanish) or the nearest Police station.
Only last week, the Guyana Police Force hosted its 2023 Symposium during which there was a panel discussion on issues relating to Trafficking in Persons.
It was revealed by the Ministry’s Coordinator for the Ministerial Taskforce on TIP, Daniel Griffith, that the Home Affairs Ministry will soon be undertaking the construction of a processing facility to house TIP victims and conduct interviews.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is taking steps to establish a processing facility and a transitional facility… Budgetary allocations have already [been made] and we will commence the construction of this facility soon to be utilised by Guyana Police Force’s Trafficking in Persons Unit and the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Griffith stated during the session.
Back in June, the US Department of State released its 2023 TIP report, which recognised that the Government continues to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts to combat this crime. Consequently, Guyana maintained its Tier 1 status for the seventh consecutive year.
Among its efforts to maintain its ranking, according to the State Department, included convicting three traffickers; identifying more victims and referring them to services; consistently implementing a 10-day reflection period, including shelter for victims; raising awareness in Indigenous languages; expanding the inclusivity of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (the Task Force); and initiating a programme to screen children in situations of homelessness.
For the first half of 2023, it was reported that the Guyana Police Force’s TIP Unit investigated 21 reported Trafficking in Persons cases, of which, 244 alleged victims were interviewed and screened with 23 of them being under 18 years of age.
Five persons were officially charged and placed before the court between January to May this year for offences ranging from Trafficking in Persons, assault, forgery of currency notes and the operation of a brothel. (G-8)