TIP: GUYANA 2008 INTERIM ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000693 SENSITIVE SIPDIS WHA/CAR FOR JROSHOLT, WHA/PPC FOR SMILLER, G/TIP FOR SKRONENBURG AND BFLECK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KTIP KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG GY SUBJECT: TIP: GUYANA 2008 INTERIM ASSESSMENT REF: STATE 111306 ¶1. (U) This is a response to reftel about progress made by the Government of Guyana (GoG) in addressing Trafficking in Persons issues. ¶2. (SBU) In 2008, The GoG continued its prosecution of a woman arrested in October 2006 in the town of Bartica, in which two teenage girls were allegedly trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. In a separate case in January, the GoG worked with Trinidadian authorities to repatriate a Guyanese woman who had been held against her will after answering an employment advertisement in Trinidad and Tobago; the woman is now safely back in Guyana, and has been provided government assistance with her reintegration. In October, a local judge dismissed charges filed against a woman for a 2006 case in which she allegedly trafficked a 12 year-old girl; the judge cited a lack of evidence. ¶3. (U) In order to extend awareness of what constitutes TIP and to augment its sources of information regarding potential TIP cases, the GoG's National Task Force for Combating Trafficking in Persons has continued to conduct sensitization exercises in communities around the country, and has set up "Community Focal Points" in these areas. The individuals serving as focal points include mayors/municipal officials, school authorities, religious leaders, and other persons who have high visibility and engender local trust, and who also have a breadth of knowledge regarding activities and individuals in their respective communities. These persons, in turn, can play a role in referring possible TIP cases, assisting with TIP investigations, and further raising public awareness in areas where stakeholder ministries do not otherwise have a regular presence. ¶4. (SBU) As part of its biannual continuing education/professional development seminars for senior and mid-level officers of its Criminal Investigations Division, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has instituted a full-day training session on Trafficking in Persons for all seminar participants. Additionally, the GoG has signaled interest in coordinating with the USG on possible prosecutor and judicial training regarding TIP issues, which could be provided by the Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT). ¶5. (SBU) In 2008, the GPF has conducted raids on various establishments, including brothels and shops thought to potentially harbor trafficking victims. Most workers interviewed confirmed they were working in their job willingly and for compensation, however, several workers did allege they were victims of trafficking. These individuals were subsequently removed from the location and provided shelter. Some departed the shelters of their own volition without providing formal statements to the police, while in other cases further investigation indicated there had been no trafficking violation. ¶6. (U) The GoG has continued to provide funding to a local NGO to house TIP victims, although few such victims have come forward or been referred for services in the last few years. This NGO and one other also serve on the National Task Force for Combating Trafficking in Persons. Jones