Members of the Justice Department, operating in coordination with the police, carried out 15 simultaneous search warrants in the Gurabo area of Santiago de los Caballeros late last week, and broke open what is described by the authorities as a major human trafficking and prostitution ring. Some 20 women from Colombia were taken into protective custody, two persons were arrested, and more are expected. Not many details were given to the press.
A story in the Acento.com.do news platform noted that while the crime of human trafficking is on the books, prosecution of the crime is weak, at times even timid.
Spokespersons for the National Network to Stop Human Trafficking told Acento that these crimes are often invisible and that there is a lack of data for a better understanding of the size and importance of this criminal activity. Under the Palermo Protocol, the government is obliged to take care of these persons in every way possible, including providing health care and monetary support.
An important point made by the NGO is that while human trafficking is prohibited in the Dominican Constitution, there is no mention of this in the Penal Code, and therefore it is not a crime. A major contradiction.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
Listin Diario
Acento
15 July 2024