“The government, in collaboration with civil society organisations and international partners has developed training programmes for law enforcement officers, frontline service providers, and the public to improve their understanding of human trafficking and their ability to respond effectively.”
This was the sentiment shared by Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn at the opening of the 2024 Freedom from Slavery Caribbean Regional Forum held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel today (May 20).
In delivering opening remarks at the event, the State Minister pointed to the investments made by the Government to raise awareness about human trafficking and the critical need to confront this crime with collective action.
She noted that a “multi-sector cooperation is imperative given the complex nature of human trafficking as a crime, whether internal or international”.
With the convening of this second staging of the Caribbean’s Regional Forum on Human Trafficking the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of Human Trafficking in the region is at the fore.
The event, hosted by the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (ONRTIP), runs from May 20 to 22 under the theme “Demystifying Human Trafficking in the Caribbean Context: The Intersection of Culture and Human Trafficking”.
Minister Cuthbert-Flynn stated, “recognising the historical roots of human trafficking in the Caribbean helps us understand the structural injustices and inequalities that perpetuate our society today”.
She further emphasised that in the Caribbean, where cultural diversity is abundant “traffickers exploit vulnerabilities arising from economic disparities, limited access to education, gender inequality, and social exclusion.”
With this, the State Minister noted that the Government is consistently pursuing progressive initiatives in the fight against trafficking.
She highlighted that there has been “significant progress through robust legislative measures, tailored law enforcement initiatives, strategic community engagements, and a multi-stakeholder approach with the establishment of the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons”.
The National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) under the Ministry of National Security and the ONRTIP , continue to raise awareness on human trafficking, examine reports and advocate for victims’ rights.
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