Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GEORGETOWN693
2008-12-09 20:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Georgetown
Cable title:  

TIP: GUYANA 2008 INTERIM ASSESSMENT

Tags:  KTIP KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM SMIG GY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2181
PP RUEHGR
DE RUEHGE #0693 3442012
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 092012Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6870
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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

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