Guyana determined to combat TIP
A GINA Feature
Guyana Chronicle
June 20, 2004
THE Government is concerned about the increasing incidence of Trafficking in Persons that has been gripping the country. But it has not been silent on the issue.
In fact, it has adopted a proactive approach to effectively deal with the problem, according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Bibi Shadick.
“We have been putting so much effort into this problem from the time we understood what it is,” she said.
She added that her Ministry’s Departments such as the Probation and Family Welfare and Labour Departments were always dealing with many TIP issues such as sexual exploitation.
What is Trafficking In Persons?
According to Ashley Garrett of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), using international definition, `Trafficking in persons means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
In Guyana, trafficking appears to be most dominant among Amerindians, with Amerindian girls brought from interior locations to work on the coast.
They are usually promised a certain wage or salary, but when they actually get on the job, they are not paid what was previously promised.
Reports were that many of them are provided with food and other consumer items.
Additionally, it was pointed out that young women from coastal regions are sometimes taken to hinterland locations to work in mining and logging camps, and many of them engage in prostitution.
Trafficking in persons is associated largely with organised transnational crime. As a result, the US has clamped down and introduced a protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children.
In 2000, the US instituted a law, `The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (Division A of Public Law 106-386 or the `Act’) and every year since it presents an annual report on TIP worldwide.
In the 2003 report, recently released by the US State Department, Guyana was ranked in Tier 3, which indicates that the Government does not fully comply with the minimum standards and is not making significant efforts to prevent victimisation, ensure protection of victims and prosecute perpetrators or traffickers.
Countries which fall in this category may also face sanctions by the US Government, including the “withholding of non-humanitarian, non-trade related assistance,” according to the Fourth Annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
The minimum standards require states to criminalise trafficking, provide assistance and protection of victims in countries of origin, transit and destination, repatriation of victims.
TIP has three phases to it. These include the activity, that is recruitment, transportation, transfer, receipt of persons; the means by which this is done for example, threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or a position of vulnerability or giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person; and exploitation. Recruitment may be done by promising jobs (false or true), kidnapping and purchase. The trafficker may also provide services such as documentation, transportation, (border crossing), and lodging for victims.
What forms of exploitation are involved in trafficking?
Sexual Exploitation - streets, bars, brothels, massage parlours; Forced labour – mines, agriculture, fishery, construction, sweatshops, catering; Domestic servitude; Street peddling; forced military service and organ removals.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked every year globally. The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that about one million children are trafficked every year.
Timothy Birner, Coordinator of the US Embassy, reported that TIP is estimated to be the third largest revenue source in the world. It has an annual profit of about US$8M.
What influences or causes TIP?
Several factors including poverty, lack of opportunities/unemployment, social and cultural practices, marginalisation/subordination of women and girls, sale of young women by their families, entrusting poor children to more affluent friends or relatives, feminization of migration, lack of information on safe ways to migrate and social and political conflicts - (destabilised and displaced population) impact TIP.
Traffickers benefit from this in many ways. They realise that there are few risks, absence of legislation, lack of law enforcement training/coordination; corruption, low investment (victims can be re-sold several times) and there are huge profits.
Consequences for victims/ countries of origin, transit and destination
As a consequence of trafficking, victims’ human rights are violated, they are abused or coerced, they have an illegal status in the country of destination, they are treated as criminals (because they are illegal), they face the risk/danger of death and serious diseases (physical and mental) and they find it difficult to reintegrate. As a result they are stigmatised.
Often there is: an increase of irregular migration, growth and diversification of criminal organisations/activities, violation of national legislation (on migration, labour and on human rights), threat to public health, growth of political corruption, destruction of public and external confidence and economic destabilisation – money laundering, sex and labour markets.
Who are victims and why are they vulnerable?
Men and women, boys and girls are at risk and are victims of trafficking in persons.
They may be vulnerable because of their desire to migrate, they encounter family based violence and lack economic opportunities.
“These children are at risk of serious harm and injury. Think about the threat of HIV/AIDS. To involve children in the sex trade is grossly inhuman. It hurts the child, the family and the society. The physical, intellectual, and emotional damage is irreparable,” Ann Greene said in a sensitisation presentation.
“Despite their adult-like sexualised behaviour, these are children who need protection, stability and care.”
As a result, it is necessary that Governments institute systems to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute traffickers.
In Guyana, several national sensitisation forums have been held. This will continue in the Regions in efforts to raise citizens’ awareness. Also, a research is being undertaken by Karen De Souza of the Red Thread Organisation.
According to Garrett, the Caribbean Region is least aware of TIP. Therefore a regional programme, including Guyana, is being undertaken.
Minister Shadick says that the country does not have laws on trafficking because there were laws to deal with labour and other issues now defined as Trafficking in Persons.
She, however, notes that legislation is being looked at by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and added that her Ministry will ensure there is a sustained effort to address the problem.
“The population is in a mood to take action on this and we have people who are committed to the welfare of others,” she said.
In addition, the Government has a proposed plan of action to tackle the crime. According to Minister Shadick, this includes regional workshops, public awareness campaigns, media campaigns, meeting with the business community and other stakeholders, and building a network of organisations to effectively deal with the problem.