U.S. State Department blasts G.O.B. for failing to convict trafficking offenders
The U.S. State Department’s Human Trafficking Report 2014 is out, and Belize has been downgraded on the Tier Two watch list. The annual report evaluates countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking, and where Belize is concerned, the evaluation is not a good one. The report claims that the government of Belize does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, and did not demonstrate overall increasing anti-trafficking efforts this reporting period. The report also makes pointed reference to government negligence in certain specific areas, stating, quote – “the failure to convict and punish trafficking offenders, especially allegedly complicit government officials remained a significant problem,” end quote. Today, News Five spoke to Ministry of Human Development C.E.O. Judith Alpuche via phone. Alpuche is a member of a multi-sector body called the Human Trafficking Council, and told us that the report is disappointing, but not surprising.
Via Phone: Judith Alpuche, Member, Human Trafficking Council
Judith Alpuche
“They are interested in convictions and in increased numbers of victims and if you don’t get convictions that is normally their response. It’s something that we talk about at the Council all the time. We cannot manufacture victims so we deal with the victims that come, the victims that have been identified, etc. The expectation usually is…from past experiences and from reading this report certainly…one of the things that they say in there is that last year ewe helped thirteen victims and – the reporting period before rather because they’re talking about 2013…so in 2012 we helped thirteen victims and in the last reporting period for 2013 we helped a reduced number…but because there were a reduced number of victims to assist. As I said it’s a discussion that we have back and forth in the Council. We cannot manufacture victims. And we cannot guarantee that every year we will have a prosecution. We know that cases take a while to get to the court and these are very complex investigations. I suppose it is what it is. They have their measuring stick and that’s normally how they respond.”
Reporter
“I notice in the report it makes very specific allegations…for example it is saying that there is a failure to prosecute corrupt politicians and high ranking government officials involved in the human trafficking trade. Council you speak on that?”
Via Phone: Judith Alpuche
“That’s something that the US has been saying in these reports since they have been issuing these reports. If you go back they say it all the time. The response has always been – well tell us who these people are because we have not been getting these reports. If we get the reports we will act on them, but there are no reports or anything that indicate corruption in human trafficking, vis a vis officials. If the US Government or the US Embassy has names of these people we have offered time and time again…the government has offered time and time again – please tell us who these people are and we will investigate.”
Dis lady mussi short of a few bricks – since when she or any ah dem gwen investigate corrupt politicians?
Go to Orange Walk and talk to Elodio Aragon. His family smuggles and employs illegal aliens.
Yes mr us ambassador this gov. Is totally corrupt nothing but a bunch of thieves they are letting in all kinds of al Qaeda people from Lebanon from Palestine from Nigeria and other places like North Korea you better not be sleeping with your head in the sand like the last american ambassador who did nothing but pass out ballons this gov. Should be given nothing until all the corruption stops and it starts from judas barrow down.
Judith, if you pull your head long enough from the dark hole where it is you will see how deligently Dean Barrow protects the criminal element of his government. Belize’s image on the international scene has no impottamce to this government as they shamlessly rape the country of its resources and its dignity.
thank you guys;
U.S embassy should not allow any GOB official to get medical attention in their country.
Fix ours first who cant afford it then maybe give them a break. anyway; they are all crooks like my colleagues stated and have a big influence in the drug trafficking.
Listening and reading on what this lady says, makes me question her ability to answer a question properly or professionally and not like a child or teen. i can summarize your interview in a few words “i kiss barrow’s ass”.
” If we get the reports we will act on them, but there are no reports or anything that indicate corruption in human trafficking, vis a vis officials. If the US Government or the US Embassy has names of these people we have offered time and time again…the government has offered time and time again – please tell us who these people are and we will investigate.” GOD DAWM IT, MISS DO YOU NOT GET INFORMED BY ANY MEANS OF MEDIA CIRCULATING AROUND ABOUT HOW THIS COUNTRY IS IN A BATHTUB OF CORRUPTION.
BTW IT’S YOUR OWN JOB TO DO YOUR OWN INVESTIGATIONS! NO FREE HANDOUTS AND LAZINESS PLEASE!
The lard went to her brain. Sorry lady but you cant cover de sun with one finguer. Not even yours as thick as you have them. You cant lie to the U.S.A. When they say da so DA SO. Thank God they know. I hope they do something because this terrorist that are buying the politicians are using Belize as a bridge to go to the U.S.A. They dont care how many years take them to get there.
You guys think Belizeans stupid, the whole world is watching the slave country. It’s a shame
Open your eyes my Belizean ppl!!!! With a party leader like Dean Barrow, and one of d most stupidest minsister I’ve ever seen or hear Mark king!!!! How d ($)&?’ u gonna run a country with these fools running it!!!! Smmfh!!!! Wake up Belize!!!!!!
We all know that Erwin Contreras and Al Sattler have this smuggling ring going for years.
But because he is a Minister nothing will be ever done.
Like this report is a surprise. Everyone knows whats going on here. Just most people are afraid to talk about it, as they fear retaliation from the Minsters personal police.
so only in belize these things go on cleanup your own backyard before you talk about the neighbours
so corrupt only live in belize