The 2009 Report of the National Task Force for Combating Trafficking in Persons speaks of the Government of Guyana making considerable efforts to prevent trafficking in persons, to protect victims and to prosecute offenders in 2009.
The report was presented to the media on Tuesday during a press conference.
It spoke of expanded prevention measures coupled with heightened surveillance and raids by the Guyana Police Force.
The Government sustained a robust victim support programme in 2009 and took steps to improve the criminal justice system. The vigorous enforcement and sensitization measures have made it difficult for traffickers to conduct their activities.
The report was born out of a desire to present to citizens with a factual and authentic picture of the nature and magnitude of trafficking in persons in Guyana, and a straightforward documentation of Guyana’s response to this phenomenon.
The report covers five main areas: institutional and legislative framework; prevention; protection and victim assistance; prosecution; and an assessment of the US State Department’s Report on Guyana.
The report was developed with information coming from several government ministries and agencies involved in the fight against trafficking in persons.
It indicates in no uncertain terms that trafficking in persons is not a major problem in Guyana. Moreover, it shows that the Government has made significant advances in responding to potential threats of trafficking in persons in Guyana.
There are 10 matters that came to the attention of the Task Force during 2009, eight of which were reported to the police; and in two instances, the alleged victims requested no police action.
Seven of the eight reported matters were fully investigated by the Police and in six instances there was no evidence to support that the individuals were victims of trafficking. However, in one of these matters, a father and  son were charged with harbouring for the purpose of prostitution and managing a bawdy house. The Police are also currently investigating a report of two Amerindian females being trafficked to a Chinese restaurant in Linden.
For 2009, there was one report where charges for trafficking in persons were instituted. Additionally, an East Bank Demerara man was charged with trafficking in persons based on a report made the previous year. The Task Force, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Human Services, requested that the Police review one of the matters, which involved a Venezuelan girl who came to Guyana illegally.
The Ministry of Human Services Counter Trafficking Unit reported that they received six other reports that were clearly not related to trafficking in persons and all these complaints were dealt with at that agency.
In all reported matters, persons benefitted from the Ministry of Human Services’ victims support and assistance programme.
Four persons are currently before the Court charged with trafficking in persons. Two women were charged with trafficking a 15-year-old Amerindian girl; a man was charged for trafficking a young lady on the East Bank of Demerara; and a woman was charged for trafficking two girls at One Mile Potaro, Bartica. The latter two matters are from previous years.
Meanwhile, The US State Department’s 2009 report on Trafficking in Persons placed Guyana on Tier Two Watch List.
“ The National Task Force on TIP categorically rejects the US State Department’s labeling of Guyana as a Tier Two watch List Country,” the report said.
“The National Task Force on TIP remains adamant that the US State Department’s Reports on trafficking in persons continually mischaracterise Guyana as a trafficking in persons haven,” it said.