Recent information points to a significant number of trafficking victims in Guyana, resulting in Guyana being named in the report for the first time. Guyana was rated in Tier 3, an indication that the country does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not yet making significant efforts to do so.

President Jagdeo has, however, committed his administration to doing whatever is necessary to combat trafficking -- by preventing victimization, protecting trafficking victims, and investigating and prosecuting traffickers. And Minister Bibi Shadick of the Ministry of Labour, Social Services and Human Services has been named head of a task force appointed for this purpose.

Guyana is a country of origin, transit, and destination for young women and children trafficked primarily for sexual exploitation. Much of the trafficking takes place in the interior of the country, where observers indicate that likely over a hundred persons are engaged in forced prostitution in isolated settlements. Victims are also found in prostitution centers in Georgetown and New Amsterdam. Guyanese victims originated mainly from Amerindian communities, though some come from coastal urban centres. Most foreign victims are trafficked from Northern Brazil. Others may come from Venezuela. Guyana is also a transit country for victims trafficked into Suriname.

"Criminals and criminal networks are targeting some of the most vulnerable people in countries around the world," said former U.S. Rep. John Miller, who leads U.S. Government efforts against human trafficking. "We're reaching out in the spirit of partnership to encourage all governments to accelerate efforts to end this atrocity and protect people from human trafficking schemes."

Trafficking in persons involves victims who are often forced, defrauded or coerced into labour or sexual exploitation. The USG estimates 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked in this manner across national borders each year. Of those, 47 percent are women, 34 percent are girls under the age of 18, and 16 percent are boys under the age of 18; meaning more than 80 percent of victims are female and 50 percent are children.

Millions more are thought to be trafficked within country borders worldwide.

The U.S. devoted more than $70 million in anti-trafficking in persons programs abroad in the last fiscal year, and, in his address to the U.N. General Assembly in September, President Bush committed an additional $50 million in U.S. spending abroad this year.

The fight against human trafficking is attracting worldwide attention because trafficking threatens human rights, public health, and the safety and security of nations.

The 140-country Trafficking in Persons Report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its purpose is to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

The efforts of governments to fight human trafficking are rated in tiers in the report based on concrete actions taken throughout the year.