The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) has commended the efforts of the authorities on Guyana’s elevation to Tier 1, in the United States Department of State’s 2017 Annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.
At the same time, the body believes additional work should be done on several grey areas including training and awareness, more efficient prosecutions, victim identification and support and referral. The body also identified faster response times and more vigorous investigations as areas which should be improved.

According to a release, the Task Force said that the elevation is a reward for the “tireless efforts” of its members and other stakeholders that all work in partnership to effectively prevent the crime from occurring, protect victims and prosecute offenders.
The body said that it was reconvened on January 15, 2016 and has met regularly since this date. The meetings, supported by the input of external stakeholders, gave rise to the implementation of a number of anti-TIP initiatives and the eventual launching of the 2017-2018, TIP Action Plan.

According to the Task Force, the United States Department of State regularly supported activities of the Task Force and also provided capacity building opportunities in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM was always on hand to lend support to victims, both local and international, when needed. It said the introduction of INTERPOL added greatly to the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) capacity building efforts and, by extension, improved the quality of training provided by the Task Force. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime also assisted in the crafting of the Action Plan, the umbrella body noted.

The body highlighted the efforts of bodies whose works were pivotal in its mandate. It said that the newest Task Force member, Burn the Price Tag, set the tone for 2016 with a Trafficking in Persons TIP) Awareness Walk in January, which inspired other stakeholders to increase their respective investments into the local anti-TIP endeavours.
It noted that the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit at the Ministry of Social Protection took the lead in the victim protection efforts with committed support from Help and Shelter and the Board of the Togetherness in Peace Home, while the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission assisted in providing support to victims from indigenous communities.

It noted too, that the GPF focused on improving its border monitoring efforts and its investigative and prosecutorial capabilities through capacity building, while the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) provided funding, logistical support and human resource on call. It said that the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was always on hand to provide prompt legal assistance; and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) continued to be a notable presence in the field.

In addition, it highlighted the supporting role played by other institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on international issues, the Ministry of Education with regards to TIP awareness for school-aged youths and Food for the Poor in event coordination support and provision of resources.
The Task Force said that the Ministry of Communities was also a valuable member, contributing to the success of the Week of Activities from July 24-30, to commemorate World Day against Trafficking in Persons (July 30).
The body also singled out the efforts of the Attorney General’s Chambers which it noted has always been available for consultation.

Other bodies which are not Task Force members such as Community Policing Groups and Banks DIH Limited’s were singled out for their efforts.
“The fact that other key stakeholders would have gone unmentioned does not negate the significant contributions they would have made to this process and the Government of Guyana (GoG) remains indebted to them for their involvement”, the Task Force said.
It was noted that the display of commitment from all involved made it easier for the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate events and activities in accordance with plans set out at Task Force meetings and, later, in accordance with the National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Response to Trafficking in Persons 2017-2018.

“Any plaudits received diminish in value if the prevailing efforts to fight this crime are not sustained and/or improved in the aforementioned areas, especially victim protection and support. Hence, the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons remains committed to the coordination of efforts among stakeholders through a victim-centred approach”, the body noted.
The Task Force said it continues to welcome the valuable support of local, bilateral and international partners, to further solidify its efforts and pledges to continue in its attempts to act in accordance with its Action Plan and international best practices to combat TIP.