THERE are constitutional, legal and other measures in place to deal with trafficking in Persons (TIP), but despite this, the Opposition on Wednesday evening approved a motion led by Leader of the Opposition David Granger for the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to investigate the incidence of TIP.

This was done despite arguments by government Members of Parliament (MPs) that the establishment of such a body was unnecessary, given that there are measures in place. Presentations by opposition MPs and clauses in the motion itself also reaffirmed that these measures were in place.
The first WHEREAS clause in the Motion acknowledged that “the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana prescribes at Article 140(1) that, “No person shall be held in slavery or servitude;” and, at Article 140(2) that “No person shall be required to perform forced labour.”
The second clause outlined one of the points raised by Minister of Human Services, Jennifer Webster, that “the state of Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Trans-National Organised Crime adopted by General Assembly Resolution 55/25 of 15th November, 2000, and to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children; and, further, Guyana has prohibited all forms of trafficking in persons through the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2005.”
The motion also underscored the point made by MP Bibi Shaddick in defining TIP and emphasising that not all cases were related to prostitution, “that undetermined numbers of persons have been trafficked, kept in involuntary servitude and required to perform forced labour, particularly in the hinterland regions of Guyana, but also elsewhere.”
Nevertheless, members of the opposition benches argued that TIP was prevalent in the interior mining communities in Guyana and it needed to be addressed.
Minister Webster explained, in detail, measures undertaken by Government to address the issue, such as establishment of a Ministerial Task Force, work done and which is ongoing. She also pointed to the fact that workers in various sectors have undergone training in programmes established to enhance the preventative capabilities to address the issues. Minister Webster also pointed to programmes aimed at providing support to victims, punishing perpetrators as well as empowering citizens through social prevention programmes in order to curtail the spread of TIP within Guyana, and to guard against citizens being exploited abroad.
A Partnership for Unity (APNU) MP, Volda Lawrence focused on TIP in the interior and the need for its spread in terms of forced prostitution to be curtailed.
However, Shaddick stated that, “The last thing we need is another COI which is another layer of bureaucracy.” She pointed to the fact that laws have been extant in Guyana before 2004, when the US first listed Guyana at a Tier Three country with regards to TIP. She also pointed to the fact that there have been regular visits to interior communities which are continuously being followed up on.
The former Human Services Minister also charged that the increased prevalence of TIP in interior mining communities can be laid at the feet of the leaders of those communities and groups who are tasked with guiding the morals of the residents.
APNU MP Africo Selman and James Bond both endorsed MP Shaddick’s points on legislation established as well as Government’s work to address the scourge.
Alliance For Change MP, Cathy Hughes, in her support of the call for a COI, also acknowledged that government has done a great deal of work on addressing TIP, but she indicated that more should be done since there is an increased prevalence and there was need for more research in this area.
Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall did not support the call for the COI, questioning why TIP was singled out when there were several other equally important problems which could be addressed by such a move.
He also outlined the executive power of the president in explaining why the Opposition could not demand that the president set up such a body.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who heads the Ministerial Task Force on TIP, pointed out that a COI is not necessary, and suggested that instead, measures could be taken to involve the Opposition in the ongoing actions to address the issue.
He pointed to the fact that the Task Force submits annual reports which reflect exactly what the Opposition is asking for. The minister, while admitting that those reports are not as widely disseminated as they could be, stated emphatically “we have consistently worked on the issue of TIP.”
Minister Rohee observed that only two days ago, the Task Force met and identified 14 locations to be visited to reinforce work already done and to identify and address other issues that may be raised.
Highlighting the fact that TIP was not a country-wide issue, the Home Affairs Minister also explained that by the legal framework established and bodies created, government has constantly expressed its abhorrence for TIP.
Nevertheless, despite the arguments of the government MPs and the facts presented, the leader of the Opposition, who tabled the motion, insisted that the president be asked to establish a COI. The motion was approved by a majority of one.