Misleading article on Trafficking in Persons

Jul 02, 2016 Letters

Dear Mr. Editor,
The Ministry of Social Protection is disappointed at the misleading article published by your newspaper on the 2016 US State Department Report on Trafficking in Persons. The article quoted sections of a Media Release issued by the Ministry, but omitted key words and sentences in such a way that it embarrasses the Ministry and Government of Guyana.
Specifically, the Ministry’s Media Release quoted the Coordinator of the Counter-Trafficking Department at the Ministry, Mrs. Tanisha Williams-Corbin in paragraphs four and five. Paragraph four was completely omitted in your article, as well as a part of paragraph five. The end result is that it reflects negatively on the Coordinator; the Ministry’s stance on TIP in Guyana; and the Ministry’s response to the US State Department Report.
We do believe that this harms our efforts to counter TIP and are therefore seeking a published correction from the newspaper. Please see below the text sent to the media, including the Kaieteur News, versus the printed text.
The Ministry’s press release: paragraph four and five with omissions highlighted
The problem with this omission is that it then noted that “the improved status is encouraging. Being off the watch list is a vindication of our efforts to counter Trafficking in Persons, especially those efforts to bring greater awareness about TIP and to have increased prosecution of TIP cases.”
Nevertheless, she said that countering TIP in Guyana remains a tall order and noted that the 2016 report highlights some of the challenges while making recommendations.
The printed text in Kaieteur News, p 18”
Coordinator of the Counter-Trafficking Department at the Ministry, Tanisha Williams said, “TIP in Guyana remains a tall order and noted that the 2016 report highlights some of the challenges while making recommendations.”
Please allow me the opportunity to record the ministry’s elation with the new development. It is a motivation for us not to become complacent and for us to continue to work harder to totally eradicate Trafficking in Persons from Guyana. For ease of reference, we are resending a copy of the media release issued earlier, highlighting the parts the Ministry wishes to emphasize.
Whentworth Tanner
Director of Social Services
Ministry of Social Protection