Govt. maintains human trafficking not a major problem in Guyana

May 01, 2012 News

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Government is adamant that human trafficking is not a major problem in

Guyana. Instead, the sex business, particularly in the “gold bush” is being labeled as the world’s oldest profession, prostitution.
Human Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, has acknowledged that there are instances of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Guyana but claims that coverage of the issue in the media is being overrated.
Webster stressed that there should be a clear understanding between prostitution and TIP, which are both illegal activities in Guyana. She emphasized that what is being purported in some instances as human trafficking is prostitution.
The Minister stated that a meeting at the level of the Task Force chaired by Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee would be held soon to discuss issues of prostitution and human trafficking.
Webster asserted that Government is willing to have perpetrators of human trafficking brought to justice but most alleged victims are reluctant to testify.
Recently, four minors were rescued from a sex ring in Oko Backdam, Region Seven. One of the girls had escaped with aid from the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization. Ranks of the Bartica Police Station after hearing the teen’s plight went in search for the remaining three.
The girls claimed that they were lured from their homes to take-up jobs as shopkeepers in the interior. However, upon arrival they were forced to entertain men and the two fifteen-year-olds had sex with men.
Prior to this instance, a Region Three teenager was lured from her home to also work in the interior. After an article was published in the media about the matter the teen was returned to her family.
In both cases, the teenagers felt that it was their duty to contribute to their families’ finances.
The Minister has rejected this ‘excuse’ and stressed that education is free and the teenagers should have been in school. She pointed out that there are supportive systems in place such as the school uniform programme to ensure children stay in school.
Nonetheless, parents have an integral role to play in their children’s wellbeing. She said that some parents have the psyche that they should not provide for their children. As such, family values are fading away in society. There needs to be a revival of family life, Webster asserted.
The Minister noted that she will be meeting US Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent Hardt to discuss human trafficking.
Last year, the United States had accused Guyana Government of failing to take action against “official complicity” in human trafficking, but then Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand, denied this and wanted the US Government to supply the evidence.
The US in its Annual Trafficking in Persons Report said that the Government of Guyana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but “it is making significant efforts to do so.”
Manickchand rebutted the report’s claim that continued rhetoric from higher levels of the government has minimized the potential scope of human trafficking.
Ambassador Hardt recently met with members of the Guyana Women Miners Organization (GMWO), a Non-Governmental Organization, which has been vocal about human trafficking in Guyana’s mining areas.
The Embassy in a release stated that the Ambassador pointed out that meeting the challenge of TIP requires the active engagement and collaboration of dedicated NGO’s, such as the Women Miner’s Organization, working in close cooperation with Government and the international community.
The Ambassador assured the organization that the U.S. Embassy looks forward to supporting GWMO’s interaction with its network of TIP partner organizations and institutions in order to more comprehensively address TIP.
The GWMO’s delegation led by its President Simona Broomes presented the Ambassador with an overview of the organization’s goals, which include highlighting the roles and contributions of women miners; calling attention to the challenges they face; and helping to secure financing and access to credit.
The body also seeks to address issues of abuse, TIP, and forced prostitution.
Broomes and her colleagues shared perspectives with the Ambassador about the issue of TIP in mining communities. The group also made reference to their recent rescue mission of the four minors held in sexual exploitation.
The GWMO expressed interest in participating in training opportunities and workshops for HIV/AIDS and gender issues.  As an organization that promotes gender equality in a sector that has traditionally been dominated by men, the GWMO conveyed its eagerness to learn more, as well as share their valuable insights.

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