Human trafficking is not a distant problem confined to just larger countries, it is also a matter confronting the Turks and Caicos Islands, with cases before the courts and active investigations underway.
This morning, Monday August 10th, government officials, prosecutors, police officers and representatives from several key departments gathered for the opening of the territory’s first annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Seminar Series.
The two-day seminar, which is aimed at strengthening the territory’s ability to identify and protect trafficking victims, investigate suspected offences and prosecute those responsible.
The seminar is being hosted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in collaboration with the Department of Gender Affairs and the Trafficking Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF).
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Dr. Angela Brooks noted that the territory has legislation specifically addressing trafficking in persons, along with a dedicated police unit responsible for investigating the crime.
The Acting DPP identified Colombia and the Dominican Republic among countries of origin encountered in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ experienced with trafficking.
Minister of Public Safety, Gender and Religious Affairs and Social Welfare Hon. Shaun Malcolm described trafficking as one of the gravest violations of human dignity and human rights.
Because trafficking is multifaceted, he said, the Government’s response must also be comprehensive.
Hon. Malcolm said this requires strong legislation and enforcement, properly trained personnel, effective systems for identifying and protecting victims, greater public awareness and efforts to address the vulnerabilities traffickers exploit.
The first annual TIP Seminar Series is intended to strengthen that capacity by bringing prosecutors, law enforcement officers, social protection personnel and other stakeholders together around a coordinated response.
