Dear Editor,

I read with interest, your article in SN June 23, at page 13 captioned ‘US stands by trafficking in persons report.’ I was somewhat disappointed to the point of consternation, when I grasped fully the response of Minister Manickchand, Minister of Human Services and Social Security to the report. All of this is in the same article.

I sincerely hope that the well respected Minister may take some time to review the position. Let me add that the work that this particular Minister has done is commendable, and her officers (I speak particularly of staff in Berbice) are putting in a tremendous effort to change people’s lives, for the better.

Countries in the annual TIP report are rated in three tiers. Tier 1 countries are those which have fully complied with standards set for the elimination of TIP. A country on the Tier 2 Watch List  is making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards set for the elimination of TIP, but has failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking; failed to make significant efforts based on commitments to anti-trafficking reforms; or has seen a significant number or significantly increasing number of victims. Guyana is on the Tier 2 Watch List which means it will be specially scrutinized and if efforts are not made then it will be demoted to Tier 3. Countries in this last tier neither satisfy the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to do so. Countries in this tier are potentially subject to non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions.

In its report, the State Department said Guyana is “principally a source country for men, women, and children trafficked within the country for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour.”  It said most trafficking takes place in remote mining camps in the country’s interior, stating that Amerindian girls from the interior also are trafficked to coastal areas for sexual exploitation, and young Amerindian men are exploited under forced labour conditions in timber camps. The report said that in some instances, victims are abducted, and that Guyanese women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation to neighbouring countries, such as Suriname, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil, and the United States.

How can the Minister deny this when we have an unmanned and fully open border between Guyana and Suriname which is tacitly sanctioned by this government? Can the Immigration Department can give an account of all the persons who travel between Guyana and Suriname? It is merely the handful that use the Moleson Creek route that can be accounted for, and there are many persons who pass through our courts regularly who just arrived in Guyana – through the backtrack route.

The placement of Guyana on the Tier 2 Watch List, has more to do with the extent of government action to combat trafficking, rather than the size of the problem.

It has been gratifying to witness the determined governments of many countries, human rights and women’s groups, faith-based organizations, and many brave individuals who are dedicated to advancing human dignity worldwide. Trafficking in, and the exploitation of persons plagues all nations, and no country is immune. First, the Minister needs to admit that we do have a problem with TIP, and then the issue should be addressed. Denial is not a solution; it is fuelling the business and I dare say that TIP is very prevalent and very obvious in Guyana. She should simply look at some of the reports that her dedicated officers have presented to the courts and a lot will be discovered in the area of TIP.

Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud