In observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the ministries of Public Security, Social Protection and Natural Resources hosted an Awareness Walk dubbed “I give hope” from the Promenade Gardens to Durban Park, Homestretch Avenue.
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has called on the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) to educate community members about Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and continue to look for victims of TIP.
He was at the time addressing the gathering where majority of the participants were from CPGs.
Despite Guyana being removed from the TIP watch list, he noted that more emphasis will be placed on the implementation of TIP legislation in the country to end the scourge.
The Minister, who also heads the TIP Ministerial Task Force, said many times people are afraid to speak out, “they sometimes are afraid, or feel that the police will not do their job,” however he pledged that “this will change.”
He also highlighted that dysfunctional families also contribute to TIP, pointing out that some families who are financially unstable contribute to this by saying “go out and bring some money,” a statement which often land their children in the hands of cruel people.
Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence also emphasised on government’s quest to stamp out TIP.
United States of America (USA), Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway during his remarks lauded the government for its efforts in fighting the crime, noting that the country was at a point where it was seen as non-cooperative in the fight against human trafficking.
Ambassador Holloway noted that the US is ready to work with Guyana on “developing an action plan to assist the NGOs (Non-governmental Organisations) that support victims.”
The TIP task force is expected to release a TIP action plan within the next month.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, begun in 2014 to raise awareness and encourage the international community to take action against human trafficking – compelling labor and commercial sex through the use of physical and sexual abuse, threats of harm and deportation, false promises, economic and psychological manipulation, and cruelty.
