Training of Law Enforcement Officers mandatory to maintain Tier 1 ranking in TIP.

– Combating Trafficking in Persons Bill to be reviewed

– Number of Trafficking in persons cases reduced

For the fourth consecutive year, Guyana has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in efforts against human trafficking.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said her ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders to maintain this status.

“There are a number of recommendations provided to the Ministry and we will work tirelessly to implement those recommendations.” Minister Persaud explained.

Among these is the training of law enforcement officials and frontline responders in Written Trauma-Informed Victim Identification and Referral procedures.

“Because of the issue of language barriers when dealing with migrants, there will be a move to fund specialised victim services for children and adults and particularly in the Guyana context Venezuelan migrants. As well as vigorously investigating and prosecuting those cases under the TIP Act,” Minister Persaud added.

She disclosed that extra protection layers will be reviewed to ensure TIP victims are not re-traumatised. There are also plans on stream to enhance the capacity of labour inspectors to be able to identify and refer victims of human trafficking

The Combating Trafficking in Persons Bill will also be reviewed this year. The Minister said the government is working to table a new Bill which will be in keeping with international standards and best practices, early in 2021.

Focus of this Bill will centre on victim care and protection, recovery and reintegration of victims. The existing Counter-Trafficking in Person Unit will continue to work with partners in areas, such as sensitisation, awareness and victim report services.

Minister Persaud called on the media to partner with her Ministry to help put an end to human trafficking.

“We note that …the media can help us to promote the message that there has been a reduction in the number of reported cases. So, if you can partner with us… you can speak, you can write, you can provide a visual experience of what is happening all over the country. That we need to really address this. That it is a crime that needs to be stamped out.”

The Tier 1 ranking indicates that a government has made efforts to address the problems that meet the United States’ State Department report on Trafficking in Persons (TIP)’s minimum standards.

According to the report, the Government of Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking as it continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting year, hence its Tier 1 ranking.