Severe Penalties for Human Trafficking

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 9, passed legislation to provide harsher penalties for the crime of human trafficking and to expand the list of offences under the law.

Under the amendments to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act, convicted persons can be imprisoned for up to 20 years, with provision for the court to impose an additional 10 years if the offender commits any other offence while trafficking persons, such as debt bondage.

The legislation also increases from 10 to 20 years, the period of imprisonment for persons, who knowingly receive financial or other benefits from trafficking in persons.

There is also provision for a new offence of conspiracy, which is punishable by imprisonment of up to 20 years and/or fine.

The law also makes stipulation for the granting of restitution for victims, while the definition of “exploitation” has been expanded to include debt bondage.

In piloting the Bill, Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, explained that it is the intention of the Government to make the penalty for the offence of trafficking in persons more robust.

“We recognise that trafficking in persons is indeed, modern day slavery, and a sophisticated and highly lucrative form of organised crime. We intend, therefore, to reflect the grievous nature of the crime with an appropriately severe penalty,” Mr. Bunting said.

The National Security Minister stated that the amended Act, which is intended to bring Jamaica in line with international obligations, will allow the country to improve its standing in the United States (US) State Department’s Trafficking in Persons.

“This, as the new provisions take into account that trafficking often involves other offences such as assault, carnal abuse, rape, child pornography, forced labour and forced begging,” Mr. Bunting said.

Jamaica was recently upgraded from the US State Department’s Tier 2 watch list to Tier 2.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Lower House, Delroy Chuck, in expressing his support, noted that the Bill is important within the context of the country’s international relations.

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery involving victims, who are typically forced, defrauded or coerced into various forms of exploitation.

The Government has been tackling the problem through a number of initiatives, including legislative amendment, public education and prosecution of persons found involved in the crime of human trafficking.

Contact: Latonya Linton