JO - Human trafficking bill to be tabled

Jamaica Gleaner

Human trafficking bill to be tabled

Observer Reporter

Thursday, September 21, 2006

NATIONAL Security Minister Peter Phillips said the government would shortly be tabling a bill in Parliament to address human trafficking.

"We think it is important that specific penalties be defined in law - which is not now the case - which will bring to book those who are guilty of trafficking, internationally and within our own domestic jurisdiction," he told the House of Representatives recently.

Phillips was responding to issues raised by Derrick Smith, Opposition spokesman on national security, during his contribution to the sectoral debate which ended last week Tuesday.

In June, the United States State Department upgraded Jamaica from last year's Tier Three rating to the Tier Two watchlist, acknowledging that steps had been taken to curb human trafficking.

The government said the improved rating means Jamaica has demonstrated some initial progress in combating human trafficking.