AMERINDIAN Affairs Minister Ms. Pauline Sukhai has said that there has been a major decrease in reports of trafficking in persons from Amerindian communities over the past year.

Addressing members of the media in that Ministry’s Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown boardroom on Wednesday, she indicated, in responding to a question posed by Guyana Chronicle reporter Mark Bradford, that during the year 2010, there were two such cases reported, and those were referred to the collaborating committee, which has dealt with, and resolved, the matters.
She said that, in 2011, there was no such instance, as a number of awareness campaigns had been undertaken in Amerindian communities to educate persons, families and business proprietors of the legal consequences applicable to the offence. That had brought some cessation to such acts, and no report of trafficking in persons had been made to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.
In regard to other negative activities, like domestic violence, rape and labour exploitation, Minister Sukhai explained that the ministry has on record 23 cases of non-payment to Amerindians; and, to date, seven are being settled.
The paralegal system introduced by the Ministry of Legal Affairs will see a reduction in civil matters within Amerindian communities, since a number of persons have been so trained, and ongoing works will be continuing.
The minister spoke briefly on the ministry’s projection for 2013, mentioning that community development, GRIFT, and the Hinterland Electrification Project (solar panel) would be activities undertaken with the presidential grant in communities this year.