Regional ministers look at human trafficking

To the countries of Central America, the phenomenon of human trafficking is something that the region is still trying to fully understand. And ministers who make up the region’s Social Integration Council spent the last two days discussing the issue with a view to tackling it head on. After fully ventilating a Belize sponsored motion, the Ministers agreed to forward a proposal to their respective leaders, to set up the legal and administrative processes to protect migrant populations. Newly installed chairman of the Central American Social Integration Council, Belize’s Minister of Human Development, Marcial Mes, says the idea is to nip the problem in the bud.

Marcial Mes, Min. of Human Development, Belize

“This problem is not a unique problem to Belize, but rather we have problems also in other countries, especially Nicaragua and so on, where as you have noticed, we are planning a program where we will have a focal point in each country where we can collaborate for information and taking back the victims back to their country of origin. But as the same time making sure that these victims are taken care of wherever they are, whichever country they pass through. That is one of the main points that we discussed this morning.”

Carmen Largaespada, Min. of Family Services, Nicaragua

“Well in Nicaragua the problem of illegal trafficking of our nationals has been reported mainly related to teenage girls. And the magnitude of the problem hasn’t been completely estimated because it’s an illegal phenomenon. So we are focussing right now in having an adequate exchange with the countries where most of these girls seem to end up.”

The thirty-fifth meeting of Ministers of the Social Integration Council also discussed the appointment of a technical secretary, but with a job description for the candidate still not drafted, a decision was taken to postpone the appointment until November.