As the public awareness drive against human trafficking entered its second phase, the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick announced that she is hoping to move Guyana up from a ‘Tier 3’ country to a ‘Tier 1’ country.
The Minister was at the time speaking with members of the mining sector at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), yesterday.
A Tier 3 country, she explained, was one that was not even taking the minimum steps to combat the crime, while a Tier 1 country was one that was doing everything in its power.
She said a Tier 3 country carries with it sanctions since donor countries can withhold needed funding for various projects.
After repeating that Guyana was listed by the US State Department report as being a Tier 3 country, Minister Shadick said that the Ministry has chosen to sensitise the Mines Commission as reports about the prevalence of activities falling under the precinct of, ‘Trafficking in Persons’ (TIP), in the mining areas were rife.
Minister Shadick revealed that the owners of dredges on the coastal region, who overwork employees to offset their expenses, also fall within the crime of human trafficking.
She added that mining officers cannot arrest people but can play a vital role in the awareness and exposure of those who are not complying with the law.
“The fight includes everybody. It is true that prostitution is seasonal because one time the police would charge people and another time it seems like it is totally legal. However, if we report these things and the police do not take action then the Commissioner of Police must take action against the police. People must know that they are likely to be charged. We do not have anti-trafficking legislation but we do have the law offences act,” Shadick emphasised.
She mentioned that not only offenders could be charged but also those who condone passively or actively with the sexual exploitation of anyone. If someone knows about it and does nothing is equally as liable as the offender.
The Minister said that any form of exploitation inclusive of men, women and children who are forced to labour, slave (or practices similar to slavery), servitude, people coercing others to remove organs, threatening, abduction, fraud, deception and abuse of power or position of vulnerability also fall within the category of human trafficking.
The giving or receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for gain not necessarily financial is also a crime of TIP.
The Minister cited cases where women boast of acquiring perfumes and soap as a gift in return for sex.
Ms Shadick stated that there is a task force headed by Guyana’s Head of State inclusive of Ministries and other Governmental agencies, but the Human Services Ministry was asked to formulate the plan of action. However, the Ministry was left to propel the drive.
Section 88 of the Criminal Offences Act says that anyone who, acting, assisting in managing a property, induces or knowingly suffers any girl to resort to and consent to carnally knowing anyone will be liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
The same person will be liable for a life sentence if the girl, who is carnally known, is below the age of 12.
The Ministry, according to Shadick, was concerned about under-aged girls who serve as waitresses in bars and are later transformed into sex toys for those who are sold alcoholic beverages without showing ID, and patrons who pay to touch, feel and fondle teenaged girls at bars. Shadick pointed out that those who live off the proceeds of prostitution and use women and young girls as bait to attract customers, higher prices for drinks and popularity, would be prosecuted by the law.
Minister Shadick remarked that there are constraints like women who lie about their age and say that they only act as waitresses in bars and do not have birth certificates to verify when in fact they service the boss and his accomplices.
She said instances like these are eye-openers that jolt us into reality that we cannot stop human trafficking but we must minimise and control it. “We are trying to get as many partners as we can.”
Commissioner of Guyana Geology and Mines, Robeson Benn told the gathering that he was anxious about how regulators in the mining industry can, in concert, develop approaches in dealing with the issue.
Benn said that the Commission would now be dealing with men who leave their families over long periods to work in mining areas and might want to ‘answer the call of nature.’
He added that the commission would have to constrain those who are entering mining districts just to partake in sexual exploitation.
Guyana has been given 60 days to comply, according to the US State Department report issued in June.
The Minister confirmed that a draft legislation to deal with the issue would be ready as early as next week.