– Action plan launched to fight TIP
THE Government of Guyana on Wednesday declared that it will fight tooth and nail with human traffickers as a National Plan of Action for the prevention and response to Trafficking In Persons (TIP) for 2017 and 2018 was launched.The plan of action, which was compiled by the ministerial task force on TIP, outlines the government’s planned initiatives, measures and activities to enhance the prevention of TIP, protection of victims and the prosecution of suspected offenders through partnership with stakeholders.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, in her address at the launch which was attended by several ministers of government, law-enforcement officers, members of the judiciary, and the diplomatic corps, said the time has come for persons to say “enough” and fight against the scourge.

“We must say enough! No more to these acts!” the minister declared, as she reminded those gathered that human-trafficking is a callous industry that denies victims their basic rights and dignity, “so that heartless perpetrators can benefit financially from exploiting vulnerable victims.”

As such, the Minister of Social Protection emphasised the need for protection of the human rights and dignity of all persons and stated that it is an essential component of good governance.
“I can assure you that our government will — by all means necessary– do what it can to curb this illicit trade,” she said, while noting that human- trafficking crosses cultures and has no boundaries. The minister noted that TIP is everybody’s business, while informing the audience that involuntary servitude is not to be ignored.

“We all have the responsibility to bring this practice to an end,” she said, adding that it is important to note that while law enforcement, cooperation and information-sharing can all be effective, ending human-trafficking also means tackling the root causes.
“Extreme poverty, entrenched inequality and a lack of education and opportunity create the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit,” the Minister of Social Protection stated.

Ally said too that working with stakeholders to educate persons about TIP is critical and noted that collaboration can provide a much-needed voice and helping hand to victims. She gave the assurance that her ministry stands with victims of TIP and those who have been violated and abused.

“I can confidently stand here today and say that you can count on this government to support you.” Over $12M has been budgeted this year to counter TIP and she noted that her government will continue to invest in the TIP unit.
She posited that while successful prosecutions are important, the cycle of trafficking cannot be broken without protecting the rights of trafficked persons and introducing effective strategies to prevent trafficking.

“I am optimistic that the launching of this national action plan sends a clear message to all of our countrymen and women that human-trafficking is unacceptable, perpetrators will be prosecuted… we have recognised that clearly we need to do much more to stop human-traffickers as part of a coordinated and comprehensive response; and this new plan of action speaks specifically to initiatives, measures and activities to curb this crime.”

Wardens in Hinterland Regions
Meanwhile, President David Granger in his feature address reiterated government’s commitment to fighting TIP. He said his government’s efforts include — but are not limited to — the provision of psycho-social services to victims as well as the provision of safe havens. He disclosed too that this year several wardens will be positioned in hinterland locations

where TIP is prevalent.
He gave the assurance that victims will be protected and perpetrators punished.
“The Government of Guyana today is committed to reversing this indifference towards the crime of trafficking in persons. We will do so by enhancing education and strengthening enforcement in order to eliminate the scourge entirely,” he said, noting that his government will tackle the issue of TIP frontally and not brush it under the carpet as was done by the previous People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration.

“Traffickers must be identified and prosecuted with the full force of the law… The fear of prosecution must serve as a deterrent against human-trafficking. Guyana seeks to provide [the] ‘good life’ for all of its citizens. The ‘good life’ includes protecting vulnerable citizens from the threats of servitude, sexual exploitation and forced labour. Victims of trafficking in persons need protection. They are often helpless.

They are often afraid to speak out. They generally lack resources to seek assistance. Many of the victims being held against their will may be illegal immigrants and, therefore, afraid to go to the authorities for fear of being deported or prosecuted. Victims of trafficking in persons must be protected and provided with assistance for their recovery and reintegration into society,” President Granger said, noting that it is necessary to “lift the veil of TIP.”

President Granger continued: “Government is solving the problem, not suppressing bad news,” adding that the launch of the plan of action is his government’s response to TIP. He called on the ministerial task force which comprises the Ministries of Social Protection, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Communities, Natural Resources, and Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure the plan works.
“Let us not drop the ball,” President Granger pleaded.

SILENCE IS VIOLENCE
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who also serves as the chairperson of the Task Force, said “silence is violence! We must speak out,” as he encouraged all stakeholders to believe that the fight against TIP can be won.
“We have to dream that this job can be done, the job of halting trafficking in humans, in drugs, in violence — domestic and personal — of crime in all its ugly forms.”

The Public Security Minister said the plan is intended to be one whereby the TIP Task Force begins “to wrest control of the situation in Guyana regarding the crime. It is acknowledged that there is no overnight solution, therefore, patience is required. However, neglect cannot be tolerated,” he said, as he read from the plan of action.
“This Plan seeks to diminish that acceptance by bringing awareness and urging victims and families to speak out. Silence is violence! And this crime and corruption is not a culture. It is not, it is a choice. And a choice we have to halt! People must not be stuck in a cycle of negativity and lose hope,” he said passionately.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador, Perry Holloway, congratulated Guyana on its efforts to rid TIP and committed to assisting the government in its fight, as he made specific reference to the country’s ranking in the 2016 U.S. State Department report which removed Guyana from the watchlist and placed it on ‘Tier 2’.

“This improvement recognises the efforts of the Government, the TIP task force, the TIP Unit and the judiciary in combating this modern slavery… We are very impressed by the Government’s action plan, the implementation of which will serve as a guide to even further improvements in the anti-TIP effort. As always, the embassy stands prepared and even anxious to assist the Government in the core areas of TIP,” he said.
“I am impressed by the Government’s action plan,” he said, while noting that TIP is one of the most under-reported crimes globally.
He said the U.S. Embassy stands prepared to assist, as he disclosed that representatives of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will be here in February to continue training on TIP.

Tanisha Williams-Corbin, Coordinator (ag) Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit, Ministry of Social Protection, outlined the focus of the National Plan of Action. She noted in her presentation that approximately $22M will be spent on prevention, protection, and prosecution by the Task Force.