WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao has launched a new plan to more effectively tackle and prevent human trafficking. Initiated in October 2021 by the Minister of Justice of Curaçao, this initiative was developed by the human trafficking coordinator in collaboration with the liaison officer of the Dutch Police and the Management Team of the Curaçao Police Force.
The plan focuses on systematically collecting and analyzing information on human traffickers through a permanent thematic register, which aims to provide better insights into the activities of traffickers. After analysis, immediate actions are taken to apprehend the perpetrators. Besides law enforcement, preventive measures are planned, with criminal prosecution being used as a last resort.
The government of Curaçao aims to send a clear message: human traffickers are not welcome and will be actively and aggressively prosecuted. Various tools will be employed to achieve this goal. According to the Ministry of Justice, the action plan is dynamic, meaning it will be continuously improved based on new insights and experiences.
Definition
Until 2000, human trafficking was defined as trafficking in women, focusing on bringing women into prostitution and profiting from their forced prostitution.
Following the Palermo Protocol (2000), the definition of human trafficking was expanded and nearly universally incorporated into national legislations. Human trafficking was broadly defined as sexual exploitation, labor exploitation (and/or services), criminal exploitation, forced organ removal, and begging.
Different national legislations have either grouped these under a single term or defined these forms of exploitation separately with specific penalties. Curaçao has chosen to define these forms separately. The expected forms of exploitation in Curaçao are primarily sexual exploitation, labor exploitation (and/or services), and criminal exploitation.
The ultimate goal of the intensified approach is to make human trafficking unattractive to perpetrators. The Ministry of Justice hopes that the new approach will lead not only to more apprehensions and convictions but also to stronger prevention and protection of potential victims.