Jamaica must intensify efforts to fight human trafficking

Monique Grange, Assistant News Editor
The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre

Executive Member of Woman Inc. Joyce Hewitt says the government must intensify efforts to prosecute persons involved in human trafficking.

She said Jamaica’s inability to convict human traffickers is the main contributing factor to the country being placed back on the tier two watch list in the 2012 report on trafficking in persons, which was released in June.

Hewitt wants members of the public to protect women and children from human trafficking in an effort to improve the country’s record.

According to her, in order to improve the record the government must do more to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and prosecute the offenders.

In the meantime, Audrey Budhi, the Chairperson of the Public Education Subcommittee in the National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons, said the Ministry of National Security is intensifying its campaign to inform citizens about the issue.

She said the government continues to partner with Non-Government Organisations to expand awareness activities.

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