MINISTER of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence said at the launch of an anti-human- trafficking campaign that the Government intends to enforce the law, but needs the assistance of the general public to help in the fight. Yesterday at the Public Buildings in Georgetown, Minister Lawrence explained some of the strategies that the Government hopes to implement in the fight against human trafficking. She noted that as we observe World International Day against Trafficking in Persons, the phenomenon has been described as modern-day slavery.
The minister stated that Guyana joins the rest of the world in registering its voice in the fight against human -trafficking and “we recommit to legislation to combat trafficking in persons that started in 2005.”
The Government of Guyana has made significant progress in combating trafficking in persons and has approached this scourge by focusing on four perspectives which are prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
“We need citizens and the security organisations to be more vigilant and responsive and the judiciary to be fair and just and to address these matters in a timely manner,” she emphasised. The Government intends to boost the capacity of the responsible department to improve operations to expand its reach and to implement a National Plan of Action.
Minister Lawrence gave the assurance that the implemented policies will facilitate victim- protection and assistance.
Continuous efforts should be made, she noted, to enhance cooperation and coordination mechanisms among the key stakeholders to prevent human trafficking. “It is crucial that we form partnerships with civil society groups and communities to identify and report suspected cases. We need to mobilise greater resources.”
“Information Booklet on Human Trafficking” was also launched at the two- day exhibition and is available at the office of the Ministry of Social Protection located on Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.