STATEMENT ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ISSUED BY THE THIRTY-FIRST REGULAR MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY, 4-7 JULY 2010, MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA
Heads of Government reiterated their commitment to combating trafficking in persons.
They noted the policies of prevention, prosecution and victim protection which have been adopted and implemented in their Member States to address this crime.
Heads of Government expressed deep concern that the United States of America continues to place several of the countries of the Caribbean Community on either Tier II or on the Tier II Watchlist, noting that countries that are placed on the Tier II Watchlist for three (3) successive years will be subject to sanctions by the USA. This unilateral rating is likely to affect several CARICOM countries.
Heads of Government are concerned that the 2009 and previous reports on Trafficking in Persons (TIPS) issued by the United States State Department were not prepared through a consultative process and that many of the allegations could not be substantiated. In addition, the United States has not responded to requests by affected Member States to provide evidence in support of their allegations.
Heads of Government called on the USA to provide full evidence to support the allegations made in the 2009 TIPS Report.
Heads of Government extended an invitation to the Government of the USA to engage in a dialogue with the Community on this matter.
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