WILLEMSTAD - The government of Curaçao has introduced an ambitious new policy to combat human trafficking, with the goal of achieving Tier 1 status in the United States' annual international assessment on human trafficking. The new plan, which spans from 2024 to 2026, focuses on prevention, victim protection, and stricter measures against traffickers.
At the heart of this effort is the establishment of the organization PATH, which stands for Prevenshon di Abusu i Trafikashon di Hende (Prevention of Abuse and Trafficking of People). PATH will play a central role in coordinating anti-trafficking efforts across Curaçao, raising public awareness, and supporting professionals working to combat these crimes.
New Measures
The policy targets three key objectives: preventing human trafficking, swiftly identifying and supporting victims, and punishing offenders. It includes concrete goals such as training professionals, launching awareness campaigns, and improving facilities for victim support.
Particular attention will be given to protecting vulnerable groups, such as migrant workers and victims of sexual exploitation. Special emphasis will also be placed on combating criminal exploitation, especially among youth who are forced into activities like drug smuggling. According to the Ministry of Justice, this form of trafficking has been underrepresented in law enforcement and prosecution efforts to date.
Challenges
In 2023, Curaçao was placed on the Tier 2 watchlist in the U.S. annual TIP (Trafficking in Persons) report, which evaluates countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking. The goal of the new policy is to elevate Curaçao to Tier 1 status in the coming years, signifying full compliance with the highest international standards.
However, the Curaçao government acknowledges that significant challenges remain. A major obstacle is the lack of collaboration between various agencies and a shortage of specialized shelters for trafficking victims.