The Government and Opposition found common ground in the National Assembly on Wednesday as they unanimously passed the Trafficking in Persons Bill, with stiff penalties including jail time to stem the crime.

The legislation which was presented by Human Services Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has several tough measures to curb trafficking in persons.

During the debate yesterday, Minister Persaud said the crime requires harsh measures and it is hoped that these measures will see a drastic reduction of crime.

“And it is important to see in this framework that all of the measures within the Bill are austere, severe or harsh and should act as a deterrent to persons who wish to perpetuate and perpetrate the crime of Trafficking. This also should send a signal to victims who are trafficked that this Bill espouses support, assistance and redress for what would have taken place in their lives,” Minister Persaud said.

The Bill also proposes significant charges, fines and jail time for attempts to or conspiracy acts of trafficking—which widens the net.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn said the Trafficking in Persons situation has reached the point where it has disrupted the social life of communities and the government has to move to take tough actions

“We are extremely concerned about this and we will take further, strong effort to deal with this problem and I know some people who are in the night trade may not be happy with it. We have no difficulty with the party night trade, but if you are caught at certain places in compromising positions the law will take its court,” Benn warned.

Opposition Member of Parliament Natasha Singh-Lewis, said while the Opposition is supporting the Bill in principle, the question of capacity has been lagging. She wants to see that set back addressed.

She also called on the government to put preventative mechanisms in place.

“If we are serious about combatting Trafficking of Persons in this country, we absolutely have to care about the victims, we have to demonstrate that we care for them and the example that one psychiatrist leaving Georgetown to go to Linden one day of the month and referring patients to come to Georgetown to see the psychologist is ridiculous. What type of psychosocial support is given to the victims in regions 7 and 8, tell me about that,” Singh-Lewis questioned.

The Bill also got the support of Opposition Member, Volda Lawrence. She noted that while the legislation is firm on paper, the implementation step will be important. She said Guyana’s fight against T.I.P  has been hindered by several factors including the withholding of resources by government.

“All in all Mr. Speaker, the lack of capacity building has been our greatest enemy,” Lawrence declared.

The new Bill also paves the way for the establishment of a  Counter-Trafficking Unit that will be responsible for the protection of victims of trafficking in persons.

Related posts:

US State Department urges Guyana to increase prosecutions of trafficking in persons cases Over 225 cases of trafficking in persons reported in Guyana last year Woman sentenced to 15 years for trafficking-in-persons; Also ordered to pay restitution to victims Ramjattan promises more forceful implementation of Trafficking in Persons legislation