One trafficking in persons case so far this year — Manickchand
Kaieteur News
May 14, 2007
There has been an increase in reports of trafficking in persons for this year but only one case has been classified as authentic.
This is according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand.
The Minister's statement came in response to a question in Parliament on whether there has been an increase in the tide of trafficking of young Amerindian girls.
“Since the onset of the counter-trafficking in persons measures for Guyana , there has been a general misconception that all persons of Amerindian descent working in bars or groceries have been trafficked,” the Minister said in a written response.
Reports of alleged trafficking in persons, the Minister said, are made by ordinary citizens who have been sensitised to the issue of trafficking.
“These reports have been verified by the Police before they can be classified as meriting the charge of trafficking…Investigations by the police are pending in other reports,” Manickchand noted.
She noted that there is no reason to believe that there is an increase of trafficking in persons in Guyana .
In carrying out its mandate, however, the Unit (TIP) has been conducting awareness programmes throughout the country, she stated.
“During the Cricket World Cup 2007 Super Eight matches in Guyana , a public awareness programme comprising frequently aired advertisements on both television and radio addressed the issue of Trafficking in Persons.
“It is expected that these advertisements will be ongoing from time to time,” the Minister added.
Further, she said, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour has started an exercise that entails visiting business establishments.
“This exercise started since January. The team has completed its visits on East Bank Demerara and has begun making visits to West Coast Demerara,” Manickchand stated.