–Ramjattan says clear evidence of human trafficking

By Svetlana Marshall

THIRD Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, has said the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons will soon launch an “attack” on night clubs that are in the business of human trafficking.Reports indicate that while there are internal cases of human trafficking, women and children from other countries — including Brazil, The Dominican Republic, Suriname, Haiti, Colombia and Costa Rica — are being trafficked to Guyana.

“The evidence is pretty clear. Girls from overseas -– Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti — are being brought here in some of the night clubs; and rest assured, we are going to get our assaults and attacks on those night clubs coming soon,” Minister Ramjattan said.

Minister Ramjattan, who heads the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, was at the time speaking following an awareness walk which was held on Saturday to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

In going forward, Minister Ramjattan said, special emphasis will be placed on investigation and prosecution.

“While we have the Trafficking In Persons Act, it has to be enforced; but the enforcement would require better investigators, people like you who will come out and speak out, but also a prosecutorial unit that will ensure that these gangsters that do this reprehensible crime are put away,” he posited.

In this regard, the US Embassy has been offering much-needed support, collaborating with the Ministry of Public Security to provide overseas training for investigators and prosecutors.

Earlier this month, ranks of the Police Force descended on Rio Inn following reports that several young women were being held against their will. The police removed 10 female nationals of The Dominican Republic and one Guyanese woman from the night club as they continue intense post-raid investigations.

Initially, they were placed in protective care. However, six of the Dominicans were subsequently charged and fined for overstaying their time in Guyana, and for conspiracy.

The awareness walk commenced at the Promenade Gardens and ended at Durban Park at the Square of the Revolution. In addition to Minister Ramjattan, it was attended by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; US Ambassador Perry Holloway; members of the Community Policing Groups (CPG); and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations.