New TIP Act drafted

− presently before legislators for approval

– TIP Department to focus on the exploitation of Venezuelan migrants

By Ayana George

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 29, 2019

A new combatting Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act was drafted to strengthen the local TIP fight. According to Coordinator of the Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, Tanisha Williams- Corbin, the previous Act was passed in 2005 and was thoroughly reviewed through a number of consultations with stakeholders recently.

The project, which is funded by the United States, Department of States, was implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

Corbin-Williams informed that work was ongoing on the Act for more than three years.

“Our two partners are currently working on Standard Operating Procedures for responding to TIP in Guyana, and this will fall in to effectively deal with investigations and prosecutions of TIP Cases, as well as protection and reintegration of TIP victims,” she mentioned.

Additionally, the Ministry of Social Protection has received the final draft of investigations and prosecutions and have since submitted the final comments to a consultant. The TIP Coordinator reiterated that once the document is returned to the ministry, all partners will proceed to sign on to the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs).

A recent thematic meeting was hosted and focused on the trafficking of humans and the smuggling of migrants. The meeting was funded by the United States Embassy and several other partners at the Ramada Princess Hotel.

Images: Department of Public Information