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RUEHC/USAID WASHDC
RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 GEORGETOWN 000197 
 
SIPDIS 
 
G/TIP 
G 
INL 
DRL 
PRM 
IWI 
WHA/PPC - Michael Puccetti 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM SMIG ASEC PREF ELAB KCRM KWMN KFRD GY
SUBJECT: SIXTH ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ASSESSMENT- 
GUYANA 
 
 
REF: STATE 3836 
 
¶1. (SBU) The following is Embassy Georgetown's submission of 
information requested in reftel for the 2006 Annual 
Trafficking in Persons Report: 
 
BEGIN REPORT. Overview of a country's activities to 
eliminate trafficking in persons: 
 
-- A. Is the country a country of origin, transit, or 
destination for international trafficked men, women, or 
children?  Specify numbers for each group; how they were 
trafficked, to where, and for what purpose.  Does the 
trafficking occur within the country's borders?  Does it 
occur in territory outside of the government's control (e.g. 
in a civil war situation)?  Are any estimates or reliable 
numbers available as to the extent or magnitude of the 
problem?  Please include any numbers of victims. What is 
(are) the source(s) of available information on trafficking 
in persons or what plans are in place (if any) to undertake 
documentation of trafficking? How reliable are the numbers 
and these sources?  Are certain groups of persons more at 
risk of being trafficked (e.g. women and children, boys 
versus girls, certain ethnic groups, refugees, etc.)? 
 
Most TIP in Guyana occurs internally. Post has received 
reports of limited trans-border trafficking of victims 
destined for Suriname and Barbados. Within Guyana, 
trafficking reportedly occurs in the interior of the 
country, where government oversight is light and law 
enforcement is lacking, and between the interior and coastal 
communities. Statistical data is limited, but an 
International Organization for Migration (IOM) survey of 58 
informants released in June 2005 cited 12 examples of 
trafficking for forced labor, 24 examples of trafficking for 
prostitution, and 8 cases of trafficking for purposes of 
domestic servitude. 
 
A typical trafficking profile involves young women from the 
rural interior, primarily of Amerindian (indigenous) 
descent, who receive promises to work in rum shops and 
restaurants on the coast and are then forced to work without 
compensation and/or to provide sexual services. The IOM's 
assessment, the most comprehensive to date, also found 
instances of trafficking for purposes of forced labor that 
involved sawmill operators or land-grant owners taking 
Amerindian men and boys from their communities and forcing 
them to engage in debt bondage. 
 
Sources of information used to compile Post's report include 
the Ministry of Labor, Human Services, and Social Security 
(MLHSSS), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Help and Shelter, 
the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Red Thread, the 
IOM, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)and 
members of Parliament representing both the Government and 
the Opposition. 
 
-- B. Please provide a general overview of the trafficking 
situation in the country and any changes since the last TIP 
Report (e.g. changes in direction).  Also briefly explain 
the political will to address trafficking in persons. Other 
items to address may include:  What kind of conditions are 
the victims trafficked into?  Which populations are 
targeted by the traffickers?  Who are the traffickers?  What 
methods are used to approach victims? (Are they offered 
lucrative jobs, sold by their families, approached by 
friends of friends, etc.?)  What methods are used to move 
the victims (e.g., are false documents being used?). 
 
Guyana has made progress in moving beyond acknowledging TIP 
as a problem and identifying cases to actively prosecuting 
traffickers and assisting victims. The past year has seen 
several arrests of TIP perpetrators under the Combating 
Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005, and political will to 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  002 OF 010 
 
 
address TIP remains evident. Significant efforts in the 
reporting period included 10 training sessions for community 
facilitators to identify and report TIP cases. The MLHSSS 
conducted these seminars at various sites across the country 
and reached an estimated 361 participants. The MLHSSS also 
continued outreach and sensitization campaigns to interior 
communities. However, despite overt political will, Guyana's 
capacity to secure convictions remains limited. The GOG's 
designated TIP coordinator reports that magistrates assigned 
to rural areas are unfamiliar with trafficking in persons 
law, and cases tried in Georgetown move at an excruciatingly 
slow pace amidst Guyana's heavily-backlogged judicial 
system. In addition, contacts in the interior report little 
active law enforcement activity. TIP enforcement in Guyana 
is still very much reactive. 
 
Post has observed little change in the general modus 
operandi of traffickers. Destinations for trafficked persons 
tend to center around transportation and commercial nodes, 
notably in interior logging and mining communities and also 
in the Corentyne River region. Young, impoverished 
Amerindian women from rural areas remain the major target, 
and they are typically lured into jobs as waitresses at 
restaurants or rum shops, as domestic workers, or as 
salesclerks that ultimately involve sexual exploitation and 
uncompensated labor. In some instances, victims are forcibly 
abducted. In one case last year, a businessman and two 
accomplices were arrested for kidnapping girls from the 
Pomeroon River area and bringing them to work as waitresses 
in the Corentyne. The traffickers tend to be small business 
owners. Post has no information on the use of false 
documents in trafficking, although what trans-border 
trafficking that occurs generally involves movement without 
any documents. 
 
-- C.  What are the limitations on the government's ability 
to address this problem in practice?  For example, is 
funding for police or other institutions inadequate?  Is 
overall corruption a problem?  Does the government lack the 
resources to aid victims? 
 
The GOG identifies the cost and time required to access 
rural communities in which the majority of TIP activity 
occurs as a major limitation. The MLHSSS has prioritized 
acquisition of radio and communication sets, motorcycles and 
an outboard motor engine to access locations that are 
typically accessible only by river or several days' hike. In 
addition, the government's capacity to prosecute cases is 
severely limited. The MLHSSS's TIP coordinator has called 
for specialized training for legal personnel to properly 
investigate and prosecute TIP cases and has proposed having 
a specifically designated magistracy for TIP cases. Post 
does not have information on corruption as it specifically 
relates to trafficking in persons. The GOG has provided 
around USD 30,000 to fund Help and Shelter, a victim 
services provider. USAID and UNICEF have also contributed 
resources for victim assistance. 
 
-- D. To what extent does the government systematically 
monitor its anti-trafficking efforts (on all fronts -- 
prosecution, prevention and victim protection) and 
periodically make available, publicly or privately and 
directly or through regional/international organizations, 
its assessments of these anti-trafficking efforts? 
 
The MLHSSS, the designated lead agency in the GOG's anti-TIP 
efforts, issued an annual "Review of Counter Trafficking in 
Persons Activities 2004-2005" in January 2006 that included 
information on legislation, law enforcement activities, 
public awareness and sensitization programs, and victim 
protection efforts. The report also included an assessment 
of challenges and emerging needs that mainly focused on 
policing the vast hinterland and reaching out to Amerindian 
communities. In addition, the Ministry periodically released 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  003 OF 010 
 
 
activity reports for its Counter-TIP Unit, which includes 
dates, locations, and number of participants for its public 
awareness and training efforts. 
 
¶3. PREVENTION: 
 
-- A. Does the government acknowledge that trafficking is a 
problem in that country?  If no, why not? 
 
The GOG continues to recognize trafficking in persons as a 
problem and works with the USG, the IOM, UNICEF and other 
stakeholders to combat it. TIP is regularly referenced in 
public discourse, and was most recently labeled as a 
"growing menace" in the 2006 budget speech. 
 
-- B. Which government agencies are involved in anti- 
trafficking efforts and which agency, if any, has the lead? 
 
The Ministry of Labor, Human Services, and Social Security 
is the designated lead agency for the GOG's anti-trafficking 
efforts. A three-person Counter-Trafficking Unit within the 
MLHSSS coordinates the GOG's efforts under the supervision 
of Minister Bibi Shadick. In addition, the Guyana Police 
Force (GPF), the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and the 
Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) participate in 
the GOG's anti-TIP efforts. In the past, Minister Shadick 
has said publicly and to USG officials that human 
trafficking in Guyana is an Amerindian problem, therefore 
responsibility for combating trafficking in persons should 
reside with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. 
 
-- C. Are there, or have there been, government-run anti- 
trafficking information or education campaigns?  If so, 
briefly describe the campaign(s), including their objectives 
and effectiveness.  Do these campaigns target potential 
trafficking victims and/or the demand for trafficking (e.g. 
"clients" of prostitutes or beneficiaries of forced labor). 
 
The MLHSSS has held a series of seminars since July 2004 to 
sensitize the public about trafficking in persons. In 2005 
the Ministry launched a public awareness campaign that 
included an estimated 56 articles in various publications, 
radio programs, and meetings with prominent stakeholders in 
the religious, mining, business, and local government 
communities. Most of these activities have focused on 
potential victims and victim identification. 
 
-- D. Does the government support other programs to prevent 
trafficking? (e.g., to promote women's participation in 
economic decision-making or efforts to keep children in 
school.)  Please explain. 
 
In January 2006, the non-governmental organization Partners 
of the Americas launched a U.S. Department of Labor-funded 
US$2 million program to combat child labor through 
education. The program will focus on re-entry of truant 
children into the school system an awareness campaign to 
sensitize parents, educators, and other stakeholders of the 
worst forms of child labor and the importance of education. 
The MLHSSS has also provided seed money to families to 
assist with school expenses as part of its social welfare 
program, trained social workers in trafficking awareness, 
and plans to promote vocational education programs to 
potential trafficking targets. The MLHSSS also sponsors a 
domestic violence sensitization and victim assistance 
program through Help and Shelter. The domestic violence 
public awareness includes a TIP component. The NGO Red 
Thread, a non-government organization works with women to 
improve economic decision-making: efforts that are generally 
lauded by the GOG.  The GPF works with the GHRA to provide 
human rights training to officers outside of Georgetown and 
to new officers during their orientation and training.  The 
GHRA provides the training free of charge. 
 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  004 OF 010 
 
 
-- F. What is the relationship between government officials, 
NGOs, other relevant organizations and other elements of 
civil society on the trafficking issue? 
 
As reported in previous submissions, some NGO relationships 
with the GOG are strained, while others are getting 
stronger. Help and Shelter enjoys a positive relationship 
with the MLHSSS, although, privately, the coordinator was 
dismayed that Minister Shadick's mentioned of the general 
location of the organization's victim shelter in the press; 
the location is kept secret for the victim's protection. The 
GHRA collaborates with the GOG on training and 
identification, but it argues that the GOG should be more 
proactive in TIP enforcement. Contacts who represent 
Amerindian communities have echoed this claim. 
 
-- G. Does it monitor immigration and emigration patterns 
for evidence of trafficking?  Do law enforcement agencies 
screen for potential trafficking victims along borders? 
 
The GOG's immigration record-keeping system is antiquated, 
and the GOG does not make a concerted effort to cull travel 
patterns for evidence of trafficking. To Post's knowledge, 
most of the trans-border human trafficking activity occurs 
across the country's porous borders with Suriname and 
Brazil, making efforts to screen for potential trafficking 
victims along borders extremely difficult. 
 
-- H. Is there a mechanism for coordination and 
communication between various agencies, internal, 
international, and multilateral on trafficking- related 
matters, such as a multi- agency working group or a task 
force?  Does the government have a trafficking in persons 
working group or single point of contact?  Does the 
government have a public corruption task force? 
 
The Counter-TIP Unit within the MLHSSS is the designated 
government office for TIP concerns, with Minister Bibi 
Shadick as the point of contact. All trafficking cases are 
referred to the GPF's Criminal Investigative Division.  The 
GPF works closely with the MLHSSS to prepare cases for 
prosecution. Guyana does not have a public corruption task 
force. 
 
-- J. Does the government have a national plan of action to 
address trafficking in persons?  If so, which agencies were 
involved in developing it?  Were NGOs consulted in the 
process?  What steps has the government taken to disseminate 
the action plan? 
 
As reported in last year's submission, the GOG has a 
national plan of action to address TIP.  The GOG, under the 
auspices of the MLHSSS consulted the GPF, the GGMC, the 
Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Women's Affairs Bureau, 
Red Thread, the GHRA, Help & Shelter, Ribbons of Life, a 
variety of local women's rights groups, and the IOM to 
develop the plan.  The National Plan of Action included a 
nationwide public awareness campaign.  The MLHSSS estimates 
that roughly 3,000 participants have attended the town-hall 
type meetings in each of Guyana's 10 regions.  The Ministry 
worked with the IOM to train 30 trainers from each of the 
regions to return to their communities and raise awareness. 
The National Assembly passed the Combating of Trafficking in 
Persons Bill on December 13, 2004 as part of the plan. 
 
 
¶4. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS: 
 
For questions A-D, posts should highlight in particular 
whether or not the country has enacted any new legislation 
since the last TIP report. 
 
-- A. Does the country have a law specifically prohibiting 
trafficking in persons--both trafficking for sexual 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  005 OF 010 
 
 
exploitation and trafficking for non- sexual purposes (e.g. 
forced labor)? If so, what is the law?  Does the law(s) 
cover both internal and external (transnational) forms of 
trafficking? If not, under what other laws can traffickers 
be prosecuted?  For example, are there laws against slavery 
or the exploitation of prostitution by means of coercion or 
fraud?  Are these other laws being used in trafficking 
cases?  Are these laws, taken together, adequate to cover 
the full scope of trafficking in persons?  Please provide a 
full inventory of trafficking laws, including civil 
penalties, (e.g., civil forfeiture laws and laws against 
illegal debt). 
 
The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act became law in 
April 2005. In addition, perpetrators who kidnap or lure 
victims for purposes of sexual exploitation may be charged 
under Guyanese Criminal Law Chapter 8.01, Section 87 (forced 
detention--sex) and Sections 72 and 73 (procurement). In 
addition, the Kidnapping Act Chapter 8.03 (2003) and the 
Labor Act (Conditions of Employment of Certain Workers) 
Chapter 99.03 may be relevant to TIP cases. The latter 
governs employment conditions for workers in rest houses, 
rum shops, discos, and other workplaces that typically lure 
TIP victims. 
 
-- B. What are the penalties for traffickers of people for 
sexual exploitation?  For traffickers of people for labor 
exploitation? 
 
Traffickers of people convicted on summary judgment (lesser 
offenses) are subject to prison terms of 3-5 years. 
Traffickers of people convicted on indictment (more serious 
offenses) are subject to prison terms of 5 years to life 
imprisonment. All convicted traffickers are subject to 
confiscation of property used or gained during the course of 
the crime and would be ordered to pay restitution to 
victims. 
 
In addition convicted traffickers face: 
 
-two additional years imprisonment if the person used, 
threatened to use, or caused another to use or threaten to 
use a dangerous weapon; 
-five additional years imprisonment if the victim suffers a 
serious bodily injury or if the crime involves sexual 
assault; 
-five additional years imprisonment if the trafficking 
victim was exposed to life threatening illness or was forced 
into any addiction to drugs and/or medication; 
-ten additional years imprisonment if the victim suffers a 
permanent or life-threatening injury; 
-three additional years imprisonment if the crime was 
organized by an organized criminal contingent; 
-four additional years imprisonment if the crime resulted 
from abuse of power or a position of authority. 
 
-- C. What are the penalties for rape or forcible sexual 
assault?  How do they compare to the penalty for sex 
trafficking? 
 
Guyanese criminal law calls for a maximum of life 
imprisonment for rape, five years for sexual assault and ten 
years for forced detention for purpose of sexual 
exploitation. This compares to a possible sentence of 5 
years to life under the TIP act. 
 
-- D. Is prostitution legalized or decriminalized? 
Specifically, are the activities of the prostitute 
criminalized?  Are the activities of the brothel 
owner/operator, clients, pimps, and enforcers criminalized? 
Are these laws enforced? If prostitution is legal and 
regulated, what is the legal minimum age for this activity? 
Note that in many countries with federalist systems, 
prostitution laws may be covered by state, local, and 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  006 OF 010 
 
 
provincial authorities. 
 
Prostitution, including the activities of the prostitute and 
the brothel owner/operator, clients, and pimps, are illegal 
in Guyana, but these laws are rarely enforced.  The National 
Assembly passed the Age of Consent Bill in October 2005, 
raising the age of consent from thirteen to sixteen years of 
age. 
 
-- E. Has the Government prosecuted any cases against 
traffickers?  If so, provide numbers of investigations, 
prosecutions, convictions, and sentences, including details 
on plea bargains and fines, if relevant and available.  Are 
the traffickers serving the time sentenced:  If no, why not? 
Please indicate whether the government can provide this 
information, and if not, why not? 
(Note:  complete answers to this section are essential. End 
Note) 
 
To date, the government has secured no convictions under the 
Trafficking in Persons Act passed in April 2005. Based on 
information provided by the MLHSSS and the GPF, Post is 
aware of 10 people who have been charged under the act. All 
the matters are still pending before the excruciatingly slow 
Guyanese judicial system. To post's knowledge, two 
defendants have been remanded to prison pending the outcome 
of the trial and eight were released on bail. The GPF 
reports 15 pending TIP investigations. 
 
-- F. Is there any information or reports of who is behind 
the trafficking?  For example, are the traffickers freelance 
operators, small crime groups, and/or large international 
organized crime syndicates?  Are employment, travel, and 
tourism agencies or marriage brokers fronting for 
traffickers or crime groups to traffic individuals? Are 
government officials involved?  Are there any reports of 
where profits from trafficking in persons are being 
channeled?  (e.g. armed groups, terrorist organizations, 
judges, banks, etc.) 
 
Reports suggest traffickers are independent business people 
who typically lure victims into employment at their 
enterprises. Several recent arrests have involved cases 
where a business person collaborated with residents of rural 
areas who trafficked women from their community. Post has no 
information on the direct involvement of government 
officials. 
 
-- G. Does the government actively investigate cases of 
trafficking?  (Again, the focus should be on trafficking 
cases versus migrant smuggling cases.) Does the government 
use active investigative techniques in trafficking in 
persons investigations? To the extent possible under 
domestic law, are techniques such as electronic 
surveillance, undercover operations, and mitigated 
punishment or immunity for cooperating suspects used by the 
government?  Does the criminal procedure code or other laws 
prohibit the police from engaging in covert operations? 
 
According to the GPF's designated TIP coordinator, GPF 
officers typically apply surveillance to suspected TIP 
locations to gather evidence of activity before making a 
raid. Criminal procedure does authorize electronic 
surveillance, undercover ops and plea bargaining in exchange 
for testimony, but Post is not aware of these techniques 
being applied to date in TIP cases. 
 
-- H. Does the government provide any specialized training 
for government officials in how to recognize, investigate, 
and prosecute instances of trafficking? 
 
Police officers have attended the MLHSSS's training sessions 
on TIP identification. However, contacts in the rural 
Rupununi region report that the police have little 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  007 OF 010 
 
 
familiarity with recognizing or prosecuting TIP cases. In 
addition, Minister Shadick contends that magistrates 
assigned to rural areas are unfamiliar with the intricacies 
of TIP investigations and has suggested that a magistrate in 
Georgetown be the designated judicial official for TIP 
prosecutions. 
 
--I. Does the government cooperate with other governments in 
the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases? If 
possible, can post provide the number of cooperative 
international investigations on trafficking? 
 
The MLHSSS reported two incidents of women being trafficked 
to Barbados in which the perpetrators were not intercepted. 
In addition, cooperation with Barbados authorities 
reportedly prevented two victims from being trafficked. The 
MLHSSS also works closely with the Brazilian Embassy in 
Georgetown to obtain information on potential Brazilian TIP 
victims. The previous year's submission referenced links 
with Suriname officials established in the wake of the 
discovery of women being trafficked into that country from 
Guyana. 
 
-- J. Does the government extradite persons who are charged 
with trafficking in other countries?  If so, can post 
provide the number of traffickers extradited?  Does the 
government extradite its own nationals charged with such 
offenses?  If not, is the government prohibited by law form 
extraditing its own nationals?  If so, what is the 
government doing to modify its laws to permit the 
extradition of its own nationals? 
 
Guyana does not have a legal restriction on the extradition 
of its nationals. Post is unaware of any requests to Guyana 
from other countries for extradition of suspects to face 
trafficking in persons charges. 
 
-- K. Is there evidence of government involvement in or 
tolerance of trafficking, on a local or institutional level? 
If so, please explain in detail. 
 
Post has no evidence of government involvement in 
trafficking of persons. In fact, in one case last year, the 
wife of a senior police official in Port Kaituma was 
arrested after the police received reports that she was 
involved in trafficking. The IOM's study does include one 
interview where an informant alleged that people are afraid 
to report trafficking to the police because the police in 
turn inform the proprietors where they received the 
information. On a broader level, weak institutions and 
corruption have traditionally aided and abetted migrant 
smuggling in Guyana. 
 
-- L. If government officials are involved in trafficking, 
what steps has the government taken to end such 
participation?  Have any government officials been 
prosecuted for involvement in trafficking or trafficking- 
related corruption? Have any been convicted?  What actual 
sentence was imposed?  Please provide specific numbers, if 
available. 
 
Not applicable. 
 
-- M. If the country has an identified child sex tourism 
problem (as source or destination), how many foreign 
pedophiles has the government prosecuted or 
deported/extradited to their country of origin? Does the 
country's child sexual abuse laws have extraterritorial 
coverage (like the U.S. PROTECT Act)? 
 
Guyana is not known to be a destination for child sex 
tourism. 
 
-- N. Has the government signed, ratified, and/or taken 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  008 OF 010 
 
 
steps to implement the following international instruments? 
Please provide the date of signature/ratification if 
appropriate. 
 
        --ILO Convention 182 concerning the prohibition and 
immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of 
child labor. 
     --ILO Convention 29 and 105 on forced or compulsory 
labor. 
     --The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights 
of the Child (CRC) on the sale of children, child 
prostitution, and child pornography. 
     --The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish 
Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, 
supplementing the UN Convention Against Transnational 
Organized Crime. 
 
Guyana ratified ILO Convention 182 on January 15, 2001. 
Guyana ratified ILO Conventions 29 and 105 on June 8, 1966. 
Guyana has not signed the Convention on the Rights of the 
Child (CRC) on the sale of children, child prostitution, and 
child pornography or the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and 
Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and 
Children. 
 
¶5. PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS: 
 
-- A. Does the government assist victims, for example, by 
providing temporary to permanent residency status, relief 
from deportation, shelter and access to legal, medical and 
psychological services?  If so, please explain.  Does the 
country have victim care and victim health care facilities? 
If so, can post provide the number of victims placed in 
these care facilities? 
 
The MLHSSS provided funding to renovate Help and Shelter's 
victim shelter, which was completed in late 2005. In 
addition, the MLHSSS's Counter-TIP Unit refers cases to 
probation officers who can make referrals for additional 
services. Help and Shelter also has a directory of relief 
services. According to the IOM, there is no legislation 
offering alternative treatment for illegal migrants where 
abuse is suspected. 
 
-- B. Does the government provide funding or other forms of 
support to foreign or domestic NGOs for services to victims? 
Please explain. 
 
The MLHSSS provided GY$6 million (US$30,000) to Help and 
Shelter to renovate its shelter in 2005. The 2006 budget 
includes GY$1 million (US$5,000) for Help and Shelter. 
 
-- C.  Is there a screening and referral process in place, 
when appropriate, to transfer victims detained, arrested or 
placed in protective custody by law enforcement authorities 
to NGO's that provide short- or long-term care? 
 
The MLHSSS and law enforcement refer cases to Help and 
Shelter. Post notes that the intake forms at the shelter do 
not specifically inquire whether the client is a TIP victim, 
but the shelter's coordinator says that such information is 
usually indicated in the intake worker's case notes. Help 
and Shelter is currently not housing any TIP victims. 
Children are typically returned to their parents. 
 
-- D. Are the rights of victims respected, or are victims 
also treated as criminals?  Are victims detained, jailed, or 
deported?  If detained or jailed, for how long?  Are victims 
fined?  Are victims prosecuted for violations of other laws, 
such as those governing immigration or prostitution? 
 
Post reported in its 2005 submission that some trafficking 
victims from Suriname were detained for immigration 
violations. Post has not received additional reports of such 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  009 OF 010 
 
 
incidents. 
 
-- E. Does the government encourage victims to assist in the 
investigation and prosecution of trafficking?  May victims 
file civil suits or seek legal action against the 
traffickers?  Does anyone impede the victims' access to such 
legal redress? If a victim is a material witness in a court 
case against the former employer, is the victim permitted to 
obtain other employment or to leave the country? Is there a 
victim restitution program? 
 
There are no known restrictions on material witnesses' 
freedom of movement. The GOG does not have a victim 
restitution program, and, while victims have the legal 
rights to file a civil suit against a perpetrator, this has 
not been tested. 
 
-- F. What kind of protection is the government able to 
provide for victims and witnesses?  Does it provide these 
protections in practice?  What type of shelter or services 
does the government provide? Does it provide shelter or any 
other benefits to victims for housing or other resources in 
order to aid the victims in rebuilding their lives? Where 
are child victims placed (e.g. in shelters, foster-care 
type systems or juvenile justice detention centers)? 
 
Help and Shelter has a secret location where victims can be 
sheltered while their case is prosecuted. In addition to 
housing, the shelter provides counseling and medical 
services. Renovation is complete, and it is scheduled to 
formally reopen in March 2006. 
 
-- G. Does the government provide any specialized training 
for government officials in recognizing trafficking and in 
the provision of assistance to trafficked victims, including 
the special needs of trafficked children?  Does the 
government provide training on protections and assistance to 
its embassies and consulates in foreign countries that are 
destination or transit countries?  Does it urge those 
embassies and consulates to develop ongoing relationships 
with NGOs that serve trafficked victims? 
 
Government officials have attended the MLHSSS's workshops on 
TIP prevention as well as those held by the IOM. In 
addition, two MLHSSS representatives and representatives 
from two NGOs have attended overseas seminars hosted by the 
IOM.  The GOG has not engaged its handful of overseas 
missions and consulates in TIP matters. 
 
-- H. Does the government provide assistance, such as 
medical aid, shelter, or financial help, to its repatriated 
nationals who are victims of trafficking? 
 
When the MLHSSS encounters such cases, it refers the victims 
to Help and Shelter as well as to the social workers in the 
Counter-TIP Unit. The GOG also provides medical attention, 
housing, and repatriation allowances to victims.  In the 
past, repatriated victims have been provided with housing at 
the Amerindian Hostel in Georgetown before receiving funds 
to return to their communities. 
 
-- I. Which international organizations or NGOs, if any, 
work with trafficking victims?  What type of services do 
they provide?  What sort of cooperation do they receive from 
local authorities? NOTE: If post reports that a government 
is incapable of assisting and protecting TIP victims, then 
post should explain thoroughly.  Funding, 
personnel, and training constraints should be noted, if 
applicable. Conversely, a lack of political will to address 
the problem should be noted as well. 
 
Help and Shelter completed renovation of its shelter in late 
¶2005. In addition, Red Thread and the GHRA work with victims 
of domestic abuse, HIV/AIDS, the sex trade, and trafficking 
 
GEORGETOWN 00000197  010 OF 010 
 
 
victims.  They provide HIV/AIDS testing, counseling, and 
shelter.  While most NGOs have not as yet worked directly 
with trafficking victims, all have expressed their 
willingness to do so.  USAID, UNICEF and the IOM have 
assisted these efforts. END REPORT. 
 
¶2. Embassy Georgetown's point of contact is Ed Luchessi, 
Economic/Commercial Officer, telephone (592)226-4309, IVG 
747-0220, fax (592)227-0240. Embassy officers spent an 
estimated 24 hours preparing this report. 
 
BULLEN