St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—As the Organisation of American States, the OAS, marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Suriname’s Ambassador Marlon Mohamed-Hoesein called for stronger regional collaboration to combat the growing threat of human trafficking.
Addressing the OAS’s Permanent Council in Washington, DC, Hoesein said this year’s theme, ‘Threat Behind the Scam’, is especially timely as he commended efforts across the hemisphere to address the crime.
“Human trafficking, whether it is for sexual exploitation, forced labour, or any other form of modern-day slavery, represents a grave violation of the human rights of our people, and that should not be ignored, tolerated, or underestimated. In the Caribbean, this crisis is intensified by poor maritime borders and economic vulnerabilities, turning the region into a critical transit point and destination. Eradicating it requires a unified strategy that penalises complicit individuals and businesses, closes legal loopholes, and provides long-term protection for survivors.”
He warned the Council that for small island and low-lying coastal states, the rapid digitalisation of economies has outpaced regulatory frameworks, creating gaps that transnational criminal networks are increasingly exploiting.
“We are not just dealing with isolated cybercrimes. We are facing a sophisticated, digitalised assault on human dignity. Criminal syndicates use online platforms to bypass physical borders, transforming the internet into a marketplace where the most vulnerable among us can be sold to the highest bidder. Within the region, poverty, inequality, migration, violence, and the impacts of natural disasters and climate-related displacement have heightened the vulnerability of our citizens. Digital exploitation and the increase in online scams present a significant threat to unsuspecting persons, with women and children disproportionately affected, falling victim to online recruitment, grooming, and exploitation.”
Hoesein noted that regional leaders are stepping up efforts to confront the issue, highlighting the work of the Caribbean Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and other initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation and protecting vulnerable communities.
“Consequently, regional authorities are taking decisive action to educate the public and provide essential protective tools. We take this opportunity to recognise and applaud the work of the Caribbean Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons, which has become a pillar of hope across the region by uniting government agencies, law enforcement, and civil society to dismantle human trafficking networks. Chair, CARICOM firmly asserts that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue, but a critical pillar of our collective multidimensional security. A secure Americas cannot leave anyone individually exposed to digital predators. We call on our partners to work together to deliver concrete actions in combating human trafficking in all its forms.” – Suriname’s Ambassador Marlon Mohamed-Hoesein on behalf of CARICOM.
