The governments of the United States and Haiti and the International Organization for Migration together with the Dominican authorities took part in a crackdown operation yesterday, Thursday 16 May, which rescued 58 Haitian children and teenagers, trafficking victims who were being held in barrios in Los Alcarrizos and western Santo Domingo. Twenty-two raids were carried out to uncover where the minors were kept, said National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso and Jonatan Baro Gutierrez, specialized attorney for smuggling of migrants and people trafficking for the National District and Immigration director Jose Ricardo Taveras, as well as the director of the Conani child welfare center, Tilzas Ares, and the director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Prosecutor Berenice Reynoso reported that a nine-month investigation was carried out to follow the modus operandi and identity those responsible for the network dedicated to the exploitation of Haitian children and adolescents, who were forced to beg on the main streets and avenues in Santo Domingo.
The prosecutor said that the rescued children were taken to Conani shelters, where they will receive psychological care. The authorities will take on the costs until their possible repatriation so they may be reunited with their families in Haiti.
The authorities said more than 20 people were arrested during the operation. Reynoso said that the conditions in which the children lived were quite shocking. She said that the children were rented and brought to the country for exploitation, which in her opinion is a criminal act.
“Taking these children from their home to live in another country in subhuman conditions, and mistreating them when they did not meet their work quota, deserves a strong response from the prosecution authorities,” said Reynoso.
This is the second crackdown on the beggars’ networks. The director of Migration, Taveras said that people who give the beggars money are exercising misplaced solidarity, because by doing so they are supporting the exploitation ring. He also urged city residents to not buy calling cards or cellphone chargers on street corners.
Last week prosecutors met with representatives of the Embassy of Haiti in the country, Ministry of Foreign Relations, UNICEF, OIM and other organizations to coordinate efforts to locate the families of the children and teenagers.
Law 137-03 on People Trafficking regards the smuggling of people for their exploitation as beggars is a modern form of slavery that mainly affects children and women who are the most vulnerable.
The Director of Immigration said that this was the second blow the Dominican authorities have dealt to child trafficking.
www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2013/5/17/277266/Rescatan-a-58-menores-haitianos-victimas-de-trata