The Government, through the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, is moving to effectively implement the new Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, which lays the foundation for the implementation of a number of new measures to protect the rights of individuals and prevent and combat trafficking of persons within or across the borders of Guyana. 

To bring law enforcers up to speed with the updated legislation, the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons hosted a capacity building training programme at the Training Centre of the Guyana Police Force.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindyha Persaud said while Guyana has made remarkable strides in combating Human Trafficking, and has maintained a US Tier 1 Ranking for eight consecutive years, the country continues to take steps to address this global scourge. 

“One of the big things in the Act, is the area of restitution, compensation, this is something as a country that we struggle with. In the last two years, we saw movements from one to at least five persons in court, who would benefit from restitution. Now, it is no longer discretionary, it is enshrined in the legislation and persons, who suffer from the heinous act of trafficking must expect, must obtain restitution and compensation,” the Human Services Minister said.

Under the new legislation, anyone who engages in human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for five years.

However, conviction on an indictment carries a penalty of life imprisonment. In both instances, the person’s property can be forfeited and restitution to the victim can be ordered. 

Minister Persaud said it was important for law enforcement officers to be acquainted with the laws to allow for effective implementation. 

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who co-chairs the Ministerial task force with Minister Persaud, while acknowledging the progress made by Guyana in maintaining a Tier 1 ranking, said the country has a far way to go. 

“I identify with, and I am elated again, that we are accorded Tier 1 status, through the United States in relation to the question of Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking is an invidious manifestation not only of transnational organized crime but also of our failings nationally, in relation to the exploitation of women and children and also men…We may believe that we are doing extremely well on this issue, and I am glad there is a belief, somehow that there is significant improvement, I know that there is significant improvement…but there is a far way to go,” Minister Benn said. 

He said on the national front, there are issues relating to exploitation, prostitution in the mining districts and in the city, smuggling and other forms of modern-day slavery that must be addressed. 

Minister Benn said these issues along with those posed by forced migration cannot be divorced from the Human Trafficking.  

“Added to the problem, the question of migrants going through our country, whether they are from Venezuela or Haiti or where ever, that coming here, they are at risk. Many or some of them, I am aware are in debt slavery, many of them need support, many of them you have to blink, sometimes, at the requirements, they should have in place before they come for services at the government, at the ministries – Home Affairs, Health, Human Services – you got to blink and afford them the help,” the Home Affairs Minister said. 

The Home Affairs Minister said it was important for the National Task Force, and other supporting agencies to increase their footprints, particularly in areas that can be considered breeding grounds for human trafficking. 

In the latest Trafficking in Persons report, the US State Department noted the successes recorded in tackling the problem in Guyana, but also called for more action to address the challenges.

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