The Government of Guyana acknowledges the release of the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. State Department. This annual report assesses the global landscape of human trafficking and evaluates the efforts of individual countries in combating this grave human rights violation. Today, we are once again pleased to note that this report gives the Government and People of Guyana a “Tier 1” ranking in its efforts to combat trafficking in persons or human trafficking.

The Government of Guyana through the support of individual members of the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons, Non- Governmental Agencies, and other Civil Society members remains committed to the eradication of human trafficking in Guyana and the wider Region through measures to protect vulnerable populations, increased training and awareness, spot inspections and anti- TIP operations, protection and support for victims and survivors, prosecution of offenders and partnerships both locally and internationally.

Our Tier 1 placement in the most recent edition of the Report makes this the eighth (8th) consecutive year that the Government of Guyana has demonstrated serious and sustained efforts to combat this crime.

While Guyana has maintained its ranking position and recognized the areas that require further improvement, the 2024 TIP Report highlights several of Guyana’s notable initiatives to strengthen our anti-trafficking framework and approach. These include but are not limited to increased investigations and prosecution; the conviction of one trafficker and ordering her to pay restitution, enactment of new TIP Legislation with increased penalties, construction of care homes for child migrants, including child trafficking victims; identification of more victims and referring them to various services, granted more victims and survivors more residency and work permits, and the conduct of extensive awareness campaigns and training.

Further, the Government of Guyana wishes to note that we welcome the key recommendations in this report and have commenced efforts to immediately implement the same, notably the training of the Ministry of Home Affairs- Immigration Support Services staff and enhanced screening of visa applications.

The WIIN Training and Business Incubator programmes, implemented by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security also provide much-needed support to women and men in the areas of training and capacity building, job readiness and microbusiness support services including persons experiencing TIP.

The Ministry is also in the process of developing and implementing a Trauma-Informed training module and capacity-building training programmes for all social workers and counsellors providing services to victims of human trafficking.

In a historic leap to ensure that all services are decentralized and accessible to alleged victims across Guyana, the Ministry recently launched its Services Delivery Hub in Mabaruma, Region #1.

This Hub features a Counter-Trafficking in Persons Office for reporting suspected cases of TIP, providing support to alleged victims, and also ensuring awareness and training programs are routinely rolled out within the region. This Hub also features a soft room for counselling and a medical examination room.

It should be noted that for the first quarter of 2024, the Guyana Police Force- Trafficking in Persons Unit received and investigated seven (7) cases, of which, one hundred and fifty – nine (159) alleged victims were screened and interviewed, three (3) being under eighteen (18) years of age. One (1) person was officially charged and placed before the court for the offence of trafficking in persons.

Additionally, awareness and sensitization activities were conducted in Regions 1,2, 4, 6, 7, and 9 with commercial sex workers, Indigenous groups (local and foreign), migrants, youth groups, primary and secondary school children (private and government), trainee teachers, miners, shop owners in the mining and forestry districts, and village Toshoas, leaders and councillors.

The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking will also be launching a series of awareness campaigns across Guyana targeting the demand for third-party commercial sex, safe reporting and national referral mechanisms.

TIP Training continued with key frontline law-enforcement officers, child care and probation officers, teachers, Mines and Environmental Officers (GGMC), representatives from the General Register Office (GRO), Immigration Support Services – Ministry of Home Affairs, Guyana Fire Service (Emergency Medical Technicians), Labour Inspectors, Community Policing Groups and LGBTQ+ Advocates and Groups.

Additionally, the New Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 2023 was commenced on May 2, 2024, and as a result, a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating the general populace on the contents of the new Act will be launched in August 2024.

Capacity-building training for Frontline Officials on the new Act will be officially launched on July 3, 2024. This series of training is intended to target one hundred and fifty frontline officials by the end of 2024.

As we remain steadfast in our commitment to eliminate this heinous crime, it is imperative that everyone remains vigilant for the signs and indicators of human trafficking and report the same to the Counter-Trafficking in Persons 24/7 Hotline on 227-4083 or 623- 5030 or 624-0079 (Spanish) or to any agency on the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Person.

Further, we would urge all anti-tip stakeholders and law- enforcement agencies to remain vigilant in addressing new and evolving criminal patterns and adapt innovative and technological responses to investigate and prosecute Traffickers.

The Government of Guyana and the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons remain committed to working with the private sector, civil society, NGOs, INGOs, various international partners, and Governments to enhance our efforts to combat this crime.

Hon. Robeson Benn, MP

Minister of Home Affairs

And

Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, MP

Minister of Human Services and Social Security