GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government says it has become aware of social media reports indicating that there have been incidents of human trafficking.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs – Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons wanted to assure the general public that the police are “actively investigating these claims.
“Furthermore, we appeal to the public and encourage anyone possessing relevant information regarding these allegations to promptly share it with either the Ministry or the Guyana Police Force.”
The ministry also wanted to “emphasize that all information provided will remain anonymous and treated with the utmost confidentiality.”
Last year, the government took an aggressive approach toward ending the scourge of human trafficking with the passing of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill 2023.
The government said that the bill’s objective is to provide measures to combat trafficking in persons, including children. It sets out a litany of criminal offenses with extraterritorial effects. This extraterritorial effect facilitates partnership and cooperation between Guyana and other states to prevent and suppress trafficking in persons, and of course, it gives a broader scope to punish offenders.
Under the new legislation, anyone who commits the offense is liable to five years’ imprisonment on summary conviction. Conviction on indictment carries a penalty of life imprisonment.
Persaud added that there will also be significant fines, charges, and convictions relative to attempts of conspiracy or complacent acts of trafficking.
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