Guyana sees conviction in 2017 TIP report

DPI, Guyana, Friday, January 18, 2019

The 2017 report of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking In Persons (TIP) has recorded 14 suspected cases, which include 50 alleged victims and 35 suspects.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing today, said the report submitted to the government shows that there were also three convictions.

According to the State Minister, the report highlighted Guyana’s elevation to tier 1 status in the US Department of State’s annual TIP report. Tier 1 status, he explained, means that Guyana has fully reached the minimum standards for the elimination of Trafficking in Persons.

The report also outlined the task force’s approach to its work that was based on the four P’s paradigm for Guyana’s effort to combat TIP. The four P’s are prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. It also detailed the activities undertaken under the four P’s such as sensitization and awareness of TIP, education sessions conducted at public, private and non-governmental entities throughout Guyana, the effort of the government through the counter trafficking in person’s unit of the Ministry of Social Protection in providing various forms of care services and assistance to trafficking victims, both local and foreign.

It also outlined the work of the Guyana Police Force’s TIP unit and the collaboration between the government of Guyana, US Department Interpol, and the International Organization for Migration.

The Taskforce is chaired by Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and comprises governmental and non-governmental agencies. Work commenced in January 2017, when a national action plan was launched. 

Alexis Rodney.

Image: Keno George.