1. REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO MINISTRTY OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNTER TRAFFICKING UNIT
Case Study:
Countering Trafficking in Persons
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES MEETING OF
THE COMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC SECURITY
Thursday April 7, 2016

2. Since its inception to date, CTU has identified 30 victims of trafficking and charged 16 Trinidad and Tobago nationals for human trafficking and related offences. The country’s first case, involving a Police Officer, was recently committed to stand trial in the High Court. This Police Officer is currently on suspension.

3. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
CTU was established in 2013 after proclamation of the Trinidad and Tobago Trafficking in Persons (TIPs) Act Ch. 12:10
The TIPs Act gives effect to the Palermo Protocol
Other pieces of national legislation are used to prosecute traffickers
The Unit comprises administrative, legal, communications staff, Police Officers, and Immigration Officers.
TiPs Act, Chapter 12:10
Sexual Offences Act
Offences Against the Person
Children’s Act 2012
Proceeds of Crime Act
Immigration Act
Minimum Wages Act
Workmen’s Compensation Act

4. POLICY FRAMEWORK OVERSIGHT OF THE COUNTER TRAFFICKING UNIT
National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NTFATIP) - Govt. Ministers accord to Sect. 6 TIPs Act
NTFATIP Steering Committee – Permanent Secretaries
NTFATIP Working Group – Technical Staff
National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons
Primary functions of NTFATIP (s 6):
Establish policies and develop National Plan of Action (NPA); National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons was developed by the NTFATIP in 2016 and is currently awaiting cabinet approval before consultations with stakeholders
Develop plans in respect of housing, employment, educational and training opportunities, psychological counselling, legal assistance, legal information and medical assistance ;
Strengthen bilateral, multilateral, local and regional capacities to assist victims, prevent prosecution, prosecute traffickers, enhance co-operation;
Evaluate and measure progress
Develop, review, evaluate and revise, if necessary a national counter-trafficking plan;
Co-ordinate the collection and sharing of data among government agencies;
Identify and engage in efforts to facilitate co-operation with countries;
Evaluate all programmes under TIP Act including those relating to Public awareness (CTU responsible for public awareness programmes);
Prepare quarterly and annual reports of activities.
Cabinet Ministers responsible for:
Education
Foreign Affairs
Labour
National Security (Chair-Minister of National Security
Social Development,
Co-opted members (thus far include the Attorney- General)
Mandated to meet at least once every quarter, or as necessary
Technical bodies created by NTFATIP
Steering Committee - comprising Permanent Secretaries re NTFATIP Ministries to assist with carrying out of functions of NTFATIP RE s. 6 in relation to policies, budget allocation and implementation of NPA
NTFWG (National Task Forece Working Group) comprising technical personnel to assist in drafting of NPA and functions of NTFATIP PURSUANT TO S 6
Benefits of T&T’s Policy Framework that promote Best Practice:
Composition fosters quick decision making because of the inclusion of some Cabinet Ministers;
Government decision makers are directly involved in counter-trafficking measures and therefore would have first hand knowledge of challenges faced;
NTFATIP is mandated by statutory law to carry out its functions;

5. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
National Plan of Action (NPA)
The NPA includes a strategy intended to foster common understanding and coordinated action among an array of stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, inter-governmental organisations and other states to coordinate the implementation of activities against trafficking in persons and children.
Support and Coordination
Government Ministries – NTFATIP Ministries
Law Enforcement Agencies
NGOs and NGO-run shelters
Regional and International Organizations
Diplomatic Corps - Foreign Missions and Embassies
The CTU works closely with key stakeholders to implement the 4 Ps (Prevention, protection, prosecution and Partnership). In October and November 2015, CTU, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, lead a National Threat Assessment of Human Trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago which formed the baseline for the National Plan of Action Against Trafficking In Persons.
Government Ministries – Attorney General, Education, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Labour, National Security, Social Development and Family Services
Law Enforcement Agencies – Several Police Units, Customs and Excise, Immigration, Labour Inspectorate
NGOs and NGO-run shelters
Regional and International Organizations – CARICOM IMPACS, International Organization for Migration, United Nations, INTERPOL
Diplomatic Corps - Foreign Missions and Embassies

6. COUNTER TRAFFICKING PROGRAMMES
Launch of a toll-free hotline CTU
Launch of National Public Awareness Campaign including PSAs, media interviews, social media, information material, artistic activities etc
Support of locally produced movies on human trafficking – “Trafficked” and “Moving Parts” as part of public awareness campaign
Launch of a nationwide anti- child trafficking campaign with a local NGO – The Children’s Ark
Sensitization in schools in collaboration with IOM and the Children’s Ark
Sensitization of Law Enforcement officers in collaboration with IOM
Sensitization of public officers
Personnel of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Labour Inspectorate, foreign embassy officials, personnel of hotel industry by CTU in conjunction with IOM;

7. CTU PSA – Forced Labour

8. Challenges – Porous Borders
One of our main challenges is our porous borders which facilitates illegal entry and human smuggling.
Trinidad and Tobago has 14 official ports of entry and 91 unofficial ports of entry
Airports
Piarco International
Arthur N.R. Robinson International (Tobago)
Sea Ports
Brighton
Cedros
Chaguaramas
Charlotteville (Tobago)
Galeota
Port-of-Spain Wharves
Point Fortin
Point Lisas
Pointe-a-Pierre
San Fernando
Scarborough (Tobago)
Tembladora

9. CHALLENGES LESSONS LEARNT
Language Barriers between victims and responders
Human trafficking data would be inaccurate if cases are not reported to the CTU
Influx of Refugees and Illegal Migrants
Need for development of multi- lingual staff and law enforcement officers
Inter-Agency co-operation and public reporting are critical for success
Increased public sensitization is critical to prevention and partnerships
Initially some difficulty experienced convening NTFATIP because of the hectic schedule of Ministers (NTFATIP convened in 2014) consideration perhaps should be given to amending s. 7 (1) of TIP Act to give an alternative;
A myriad of functions pursuant to s 6 of the TIP Act are to be carried out by the NTFATIP, (assistance from the Steering Committee and Working Group perhaps can alleviate this)
Data would be inaccurate if cases are not reported
The efficient functioning of the NTFATIP is essential to the Country’s counter trafficking measures and international good standing;
It is of paramount importance that the NTFATIP carries out its’ functions pursuant to s. 6 of the TIP Act because of its’ impact on the effectiveness of the CTU, identification, assistance and protection of victims and prosecution of suspected traffickers
Inter-Agency co-operation and public reporting are critical in order to foster accurate reporting;
Increased sensitization is needed.
Need for multi-lingual staff and law enforcement officers. This can be resolved via a cultural exchanges between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking countries e.g. language immersion for key

10. COOPERATION AND CONTRIBUTION FROM OAS MEMBER STATES
Trinidad and Tobago currently works closely with the governments of Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guyana, United States of America, Venezuela.
Development of bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements for assistance to and protection of victims of trafficking after their repatriation, for information sharing and for joint investigations
Interaction and exchange of best practices between and among regional anti-trafficking agencies
Strengthening of border security by implementing more stringent and vigilant measures at the legal ports of entry
Streamline the CSME regime as it relates to free movement of persons as traffickers could capitalise on this policy which may be to the detriment of persons utilising this facility legitimately.

11. stoptraffickingtoday@mns. gov
You tube Channel: Counter Trafficking Unit TT Facebook: countertraffickingunit TT