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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. ACTIVITIES OF BELIZE. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE. PRESENTATION OUTLINE Country background. History of TIPS in Belize. Attempts at identifying the scope of the issue. Challenges. Responses. Conclusion. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE. COUNTRY BACKGROUND
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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ACTIVITIES OF BELIZE
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE PRESENTATION OUTLINE • Country background. • History of TIPS in Belize. • Attempts at identifying the scope of the issue. • Challenges. • Responses. • Conclusion.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE COUNTRY BACKGROUND • Belize is the only English speaking country on the Central American mainland. • Bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. • 8,867 square miles/ 23,000square kilometers. • Population of approximately 280,000. • Parliamentary democracy and a member of CARICOM, SICA, and the British Commonwealth. • Diverse and multi-ethnic/cultural society.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE HISTORY • Notwithstanding recent high priority, TIPS should not be regarded as a new issue. • No appropriate response aimed at identifying the scope of and devising methods to combat TIPS in Belize save a 1999 amendment to the Immigration Act. • Identifying the differences between Trafficking in Persons (coercion and exploitation) versus Smuggling of Migrants (method of irregular migration).
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE SCOPE IDENTIFICATION Slide 1 • Identified by three studies conducted: • 2001 Case Study on Migrant Trafficking conducted by IOM. • 2004 Trafficking in Persons in Belize Report by UNOHCHR commissioned by the IOM. • 2006 ILO Study on CSEC. Studies revealed: • Recognition of Belize as attractive place for migratory flows. • Acknowledgment of existence of a migrant route from Central and South America that, given geographic location, runs along and through Belize to North America. • Weak or non-existent public policies on the topic.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE SCOPE IDENTIFICATION Slide 2 • Belize has potential to become a country of destination for trafficked persons. • All the conditions are given for Belize to be used as a transit country for persons traveling illegally to North America whether they are trafficked or smuggled.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE CHALLENGES • Resources. • Victim assistance, protection, and repatriation. • Confusion discerning elements of trafficking as compared to smuggling. • Cultural and economic vulnerabilities. • Monitoring agriculture and service industries. • Acknowledge that while unlawful, prostitution occurs.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE RESPONSES • 2003 passing of Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act. • 2003 creation of multi-sector government/NGO (Immigration, Police, DPP, Human Development, Labor, Attorney General, Customs, NCFC, Foreign Affairs, CSO, NOPCAN, YES, BTB, Special Envoy) Task Force. • 2005 formalizing of the Task Force into a Committee whose areas of work include: • Training and Public Education • Operations and Direct Services • Research, Data Gathering, and Regional Networking
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE CONCLUSION • International recognition of Belize’s counter trafficking initiatives.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN BELIZE THANK YOU! Gareth A. Murillo Director (Acting) Immigration and Nationality, Belize gmurillo@btl.net