BY SHARON AUSTIN | MAR 9, 2022 | TOP STORIES

PICTURED ABOVE : Attorney General Dale Marshall chatting with UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ugo Blanco and United States Ambassador to Barbados, Linda Taglialatela, during the launch of a Human Trafficking Sensitisation Campaign, today. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

A review of the Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act will be undertaken this year.

Attorney General Dale Marshall made this disclosure today during the hybrid launch of a Human Trafficking Sensitisation Campaign, at the Joint Regional Communications Centre’s Conference Room, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael.

During his address, Mr. Marshall told his audience that Government was committed to supporting the work of the National Task Force Against Trafficking In Persons, as he reminded that an action plan had been developed and approved by Cabinet last year.

“While the Task Force has been working diligently on its (action plan) implementation, this year, we propose to undertake a review of our Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act, with a view to strengthening some of its provisions.

“We hope to start working on that next month, with the intention of having amendments before Parliament by summer.  We also plan to review our National Referral System with the intention of streamlining and strengthening operations,” he said.

Underscoring the importance of the Education and Sensitisation Campaign, the Attorney General said it would provide the public with the needed tools to ensure every Barbadian understands that trafficking in persons “is a most serious crime with heavy penalties”.

“They will know also that anyone, irrespective of class, race or creed, can fall prey to the perpetrators of this dehumanising crime. I must sound a note of caution though, Barbadians need to be vigilant as the harsh economic conditions occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic, soon to be exacerbated by an unfortunate war in the Ukraine, create the ideal conditions for trafficking in persons to thrive.

“Poverty, war and the concomitant dislocation of large numbers of people, which we are seeing now, present many opportunities for the unscrupulous criminals who are either operating independently or as part of organised cartels. Either way, we must be on our guard.  In today’s interconnected world, the Caribbean and Barbados are not far away from such trouble spots,” Mr. Marshall said.

He disclosed that entertainer Edwin Yearwood would be collaborating with the Prevention Sub-committee of the Task Force on further public education and sensitisation outreach activities, including going into schools. 

The Attorney General noted that successive governments had maintained that Barbados did not have a major problem with human trafficking.  

During the ceremony, an audio testimony from a human trafficking victim was shared, and he stated that her story was proof that the scourge had hit these shores.

A jingle, which was written by Edwin and sung by Edwin, Nakita and TC, was launched, as well as a logo, which was designed by Terrence Holder.  The jingle and logo were funded by USAID, through the UNDP CARISecure Project.

Human Trafficking Is A Global Problem

US Ambassador to Barbados, Linda Taglialatela, has described human trafficking as a global problem and one of the most serious transnational crimes under international law.

Ms. Taglialatela expressed this view on Wednesday as she delivered remarks at the launch of the Human Trafficking Sensitisation Campaign, at the Joint Regional Communications Centre’s Conference Room, at Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael.

The US Ambassador noted that yearly, thousands of men, women and children were victimised through the “unscrupulous actions” of human traffickers around the world.

“As a result, all of us have a responsibility for meeting the needs of victims, and also for deterring, identifying and prosecuting instances of human trafficking…. I am hopeful that we will continue to making progress to address human trafficking with the strong leadership of the Government of Barbados and other partners here today.

“The well-being of vulnerable men, women and children is at stake, and requires a steadfast commitment to keeping them safe from those who are bent on their exploitation,” she told the in-person and online gathering.

Ms. Taglialatela said the public education and awareness materials, including the jingle and logo, were important tools to assist local efforts in eliminating human trafficking.

Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP, Ugo Blanco, opined that trafficking in persons was the new form of slavery, and stressed that it must be eradicated.

“The greedy and evil perpetrators of this inhumane crime treat men, women and children as expendable, profitable commodities, used for the purpose of financial gains. Human trafficking has become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative activities in the world, and the Caribbean is not an exception,” Mr. Blanco stated.

He expressed the view that a concerted effort by Government, partners and communities was required to wipe out human trafficking, and lauded Government’s sensitisation campaign, saying it was “most important”.

Stating that Barbados and the rest of the Caribbean were characterised by dynamic migration flows, he noted that human trafficking was a growing concern.

“While the convention and protocols are in place in Barbados and the Caribbean, there is still much work to do, as we can see as a result of the survey, to identify, prevent and prosecute offenders,” he indicated.

Mr. Blanco pointed out that 51 officers of the Barbados Police Service had received basic training in trafficking in persons and a further 22 participated in advanced training. However, he stressed that more work still needed to be done.

Meanwhile, Senior Research Officer at the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, Kim Ramsay, said a Trafficking In Persons Public Survey was conducted for Government in 2021, by Professor Dwayne Devonish.

Ms. Ramsay said the findings suggested that there was a broad-based and general lack of knowledge by many Barbadians about the state-led legislation, policies and interventions in place to tackle human trafficking at different levels in the country.

“Barbadians were predominantly unaware of the source and destination status concerning human trafficking. In the Trafficking In Persons’ Report, which can be found on the US State Department’s website, Barbados has been ranked as a source and destination country of human trafficking….

“When we asked Barbadians if they knew this, persons were aware and some were surprised Barbados was placed on a Tier 2 Watch List as a source and destination country,” she stated.

Ms. Ramsay added that based on the information from the respondents, an intense public relations campaign was being rolled out, utilising public service announcements, and school and community outreach activities, among others.