Human traffickers deserve more than jail terms – GWMO Head

Nov 13, 2014 News

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…accomplices should not escape prosecution

By Sunita Samaroo
Although grateful that Guyana has seen another human trafficker behind bars, the Guyana Women Miners

Organisation (GWMO) is calling on the police and other authorities to up the ante and take a more rigid approach towards combating human trafficking.
Simona Broomes, President of the GWMO, has expressed that there are avenues available to law enforcers and officials that are yet to be explored; even as Guyana was placed on the Tier 2 Watch List of the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2014 report.
Her comments were made following the sentencing of Police Corporal, Huford David, to four years imprisonment on a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) charge. The victim, a 14-year-old girl, was rescued from Kumakuma Creek, Mazaruni River last year, thanks to GWMO members.
While Broomes showered praises on the Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for the way she handled the case, she noted that there are still measures that the courts are yet to explore.
“It is clear that the Chief Magistrate understands trafficking and the effect it has on victims because of the way she handled the case. She was fair to both victim and accused and she ensured that she had all the evidence.”
Convictions are rare in Guyana and Broomes noted that the recent one comes after one involving four girls in a Berbice court in 2012; adding that there is a need for a revised approach by the courts to human trafficking, which is a form of modern day slavery.
The human rights activist recalled that four girls were rescued from Oko Backdam, Region Seven by GWMO and that a man and his wife were sentenced to serve five years each. The couple later secured High Court bail pending an appeal.
With disappointment, Broomes reported that the two perpetrators have returned to Oko Backdam “to continue the same business.” The human rights advocate said that given the fact that David has similarly given notice of his intention to appeal; she is concerned that the trend would be repeated.
The GWMO head told this publication, “We are not the judge, or police to charge people but this is a nasty crime – the worst human rights violation ever seen. If one commits the act, they should pay the price for it.”
She noted in this case, the girl was taken when she was 13. “The little girl would have suffered so much,” Broomes explained, adding that recovery is no easy path for victims.
The human rights activist emphasized that persons who own brothels and shops involved in “selling flesh” do not operate in isolation. As such, pimps or solicitors of unsuspecting victims should also feel the full brunt of the law.
She called for the investigation into the 14-year-old girl’s case to continue since the “pimp” of the operation was never charged though the teen gave evidence against him.
The police had conducted one unsuccessful search for “Rankin,” the one who reportedly overlooked the shop, but that ended. “While he (David) was not there, he had a pimp (Rankin) in place. The person who transport shouldn’t get away, they should be investigated. The matter must not be closed so soon.”
The GWMO head said, “I would want to see the police charging transporters, persons who harbour and persons who collude.”
“Follow the law that governs Guyana with human trafficking and charge across board,” Broomes urged.
But the buck shouldn’t stop at jail terms, she said. She called for Magistrates to exercise their right to order the perpetrators to compensate victims, as allowed by Law.
Addressing cases that are thrown out of court, Broomes noted, too, that the notion that TIP victims are unwilling to testify, is a sham. She said that what exists is a system of neglect. “It is not that the victims don’t want to testify. It is not a lack of evidence.”
She explained that the system does not guide and protect the victims throughout the procedure. “It is a lie that the girls don’t want to give evidence; it’s a lie,” Broomes insisted.
Broomes congratulated the police for the way they handled their case, noting, that it is police ranks who are not easily charged. She opined that the police may have also wanted to send a message to other cops.
The GWMO is the voice for women plying their trade in the interior. The president assured that the organisation will not stay silent and let the issue continue in the mining sector. Over the years, the GWMO have rescued several women held against their will and forced into prostitution.
She has warned that her group will not be silent and allow the issue to continue to plague the sector. She said that they will continue to fight against human trafficking.
“We will never stop. Our eyes are on them,” the activist said.

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