Joint Meeting at the Ministry of National Security on Monday, April 20, of Trafficking in Persons Inter-Ministry Committee and National Trafficking in Persons Task Force members with the Minister of National Security. (BIS Photo/Gena Gibbs)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas –Prevention of trafficking in
persons is a priority for the Government of The Bahamas because of its many unfortunate
consequences, and the fact that it poses a threat to national security.
Minister of National Security, the Hon. Bernard Nottage
addressed the Joint Meeting of the Trafficking in Persons Inter-Ministry
Committee and the National Trafficking in Persons Task Force to encourage the leadership,
zeal, and cooperation the teams have demonstrated in the anti-trafficking in
persons strategy. The Joint Meeting took
place on Monday, April 20, in the Conference Room of the Ministry of National
Security.
Minister Nottage discussed the Cabinet-approved National
Action Plan or guidelines for the prevention, suppression, and punishment of
trafficking in persons, declaring the plan a roadmap for his Ministry’s effort
to prevent trafficking in persons going forward.
He brought to light that “trafficking in persons is a
heinous transnational crime that impacts thousands of persons the world over
wreaking havoc on its victims. It is accepted that trafficking in persons
is modern day slavery. Its victims are men, women boys and girls who are
recruited, transported and harboured by means of force or other forms of
coercion, abduction, deception, fraud or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation.
The exploitation takes place mainly for sexual purposes or forced labour.
“The reality is that many of the persons who are exploited
for sexual purposes do not themselves realize that they are being trafficked
and are viewed by the average citizen as engaging in prostitution. Many
employers who are engaged in labour trafficking see nothing wrong in having an
attitude of ownership of their employees; withholding their passports and other
documents; working them hours that contravene the employment laws of The
Bahamas; and in conditions that are unsatisfactory.”
Minister Nottage said that the Government is determined to
fix these vexing problems through education and attitudinal changes and is
depending upon committee members to be motivated towards the achievement of
this noble and attainable goal.
“Just a few years ago, the general view was that trafficking
in persons did not exist in The Bahamas, and that it was being confused with
human smuggling. Since then, considerable efforts have been made towards
identifying trafficking in persons. Over the past two years, The Bahamas
has assisted three foreign victims of trafficking in persons and successfully
prosecuted two trafficking in persons cases with the traffickers sentenced and
taken off the streets,” said Minister Nottage.
“This year, our law enforcement officers have investigated
13 potential trafficking in person’s situations to determine whether there was
any evidence of trafficking in persons present. Where there was no
tangible evidence, the matters were not pursued. One of these
investigations, however, has resulted in a prosecution that is ongoing in the
magistrates courts.”
In addition, Minister Nottage said this year the Task Force
has been engaged in providing care and assistance to 15 individuals, seven of
whom were identified as victims of sex trafficking.
“In carrying out your responsibilities to trafficking in
persons victims this year, it was clear to me that you were challenged on a
number of fronts,” said the Minister:“You have had to work extended
hours, you experienced stress and burnout, but yet you persevered. For
this, the Government is appreciative. In the relatively short period of
time that the Committees have been in existence, you have produced various documents
to assist in the implementation of the provisions of the Trafficking in Persons
[Prevention and Suppression] Act and in educating persons about trafficking in
persons,” said Minister Nottage.
“This year, you were successful in completing the ‘National
Anti-Trafficking in Persons Strategy’ for the years 2014 to 2018. This
Strategy has received the approval of the Cabinet of The Bahamas. The
Strategy includes the National Action Plan for Trafficking in Persons.
This Plan is your road map and guide to assist you in your efforts to prevent
trafficking in persons; support and protect victims and victim witnesses;
investigate and prosecute traffickers; and establish partnerships locally and
internationally in this worthy endeavour.”
Minister Nottage noted that now they have an Action Plan in
place, they will be counted on to work the Plan. He said the Government
of The Bahamas will expect even more from the anti-trafficking in persons
efforts, and they have moved to ensure that the requisite funding is in place
to support their implementation of the National Action Plan.
“Our Country’s Trafficking in Persons Reporting Year extends
from March to February. As you are aware, like other countries of the
world, the international obligations placed upon The Bahamas require that we
satisfy certain conventions and meet certain standards in our efforts at
combating trafficking in persons. One of these is satisfying the
requirements of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children; and another is the
United States Annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which has a reporting year
from April to March,” said Minister Nottage.
“It is clear that whatever obligation we are seeking to
satisfy, whether it is those placed upon us at home or those from abroad, we
will be required to do more each year to prevent trafficking in persons and
assist victims. The Government is therefore expecting you to take a proactive
approach and to benefit from the use of intelligence in our efforts to
dismantle the networks of traffickers and make it uninviting, uncomfortable and
unprofitable for them to do business in The Bahamas.”
Minister Nottage said there is also a continuing need for
training and retraining in trafficking in persons and the implementation of the
protocols that we have established locally. He said much more attention
must be paid to awareness raising in our communities and in so doing developing
partnerships with the local media in order to ensure that the right message is
disseminated on trafficking in persons.
“It is also expected that you will seek to increase your
engagement with the members of civil society as we move to bring awareness and
assistance to victims throughout our archipelago,” said Minister Nottage.
“Committee members, I am depending upon you; the Government
is depending upon you. We ask that you be encouraged and remain steadfast
and dedicated, as we continue to work together as a team to counter trafficking
in persons. Let us use the medium of the Task Force to make our
contribution to reestablishing The Bahamas as a safe place for all to enjoy and
leave as an inheritance for our children, grand children and beyond.”