My Brothers and Sisters

The Old Testament reading chosen for today (2 Kings 4: 42-44), depicts the prophet Elisha’s effort to restore hope to a people who faced situations of illness, death, hunger and enslavement.  His leadership and trust in God demonstrated that the faithfulness and intervention of a few can serve to heal and rebuild the confidence of the multitude.

Like Elisha, the Ministry of National Security applies its leadership in governance to bring awareness to the risks of human trafficking and to build the confidence of the citizenry that the Government of Jamaica is doing everything to combat and prevent the scourges of this crime and injustice against humanity.   Today, we welcome officials of the Ministry of National Security, as they launch a week of activities to heighten public awareness and sensitization of this international crime.

What is Human Trafficking?

“Organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or involuntary labour).

Trafficking in Persons has been described as modern-day slavery, involving victims who are defrauded or coerced into labour or sexual exploitation and is now a significant part of the international crime landscape. This has led to its being the subject of a specific instrument which is supplemental to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime. That instrument is called the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (the Palermo Protocol) which was completed in 2000 and came into force in 2003.

Jamaica is a party to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and in fulfilment of its international obligations, Parliament passed specific legislation dealing with trafficking in persons, namely, "The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act,2007 amended 2013, 2018 & 2021.

National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP)

The National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) was established in 2005 as a multi-agency approach by the Government of Jamaica to strengthen Jamaica's legislative, institutional and operational capacity to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP).  NATFATIP also coordinates and implements the National Plan of Action (extended) to combat TIP.  The National Task Force comprises membership from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of the Government, under the direction of the Chairman of the Task Force, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security, Ambassador, Alison Stone-Roofe.”  The mission and mandate of the Ministry is testament that through the loving presence of God, the faithfulness of a few can indeed serve and restore the hope of many.

Yours in Christ

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