Simona Broomes
D Brent Hardt
The Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) declared all-out war against human trafficking in Guyana during its thanksgiving service on Tuesday.
In the presence of the U. S. Ambassador D Brent Hardt; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative Chisa Mikami; and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) representatives, GWMO President Simona Broomes vowed never to end the fight against human trafficking.
GWMO members have pooled their resources to finance trips to interior locations to rescue trafficking victims, in particular young girls and women.
Rescue
With the organisation less than two years old, it has managed to rescue 21 victims. More rescue missions are in the pipeline Broomes told her audience.
It is not an easy task, Broomes said, noting that she has been stripped of her business and ridiculed for the position she has taken against human trafficking.
U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s decision to honour Broomes as one of the nine 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes in June had caused a stir locally, Broomes said.
Nevertheless, the GWMO head has pledged to keep the fight against the human trafficking.
The U. S. ambassador said his country will stand by Broomes and her organisation to combat human trafficking.
“The time is always right to do what is right,” he said.
Admiration
Ambassador Hardt said he stands in admiration of the women of the mining organisation who continue to pull through, despite many challenges, noting that GWMO has proven to be an organisation of deeds and not words.
He said the U. S. stands willing to work with the government, even as he called on government ministries, the private sector, religious organisations, and non-governmental organisations to stand together in the fight against modern day slavery.
Approximately two months ago, 150 persons were arrested by the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) in U. S. for holding children against their will for the purpose of prostitution. More than 100 children were rescued, the U. S. ambassador said.
He noted that the Barack Obama administration is not doing it alone, and continues to collaborate with civil society in the fight.
Human trafficking is a US$ 32 billion global industry. After drug trafficking, TIP is the world’s most profitable enterprise, a status it shares with arms trafficking.
Criminal organisations are increasingly turning to human trafficking because this modern-day slave trade is very profitable and has a low risk of being detected compared to drug trafficking.
