The National Reporting Bureau (NRB) for Human Trafficking which falls under the Ministry of Justice, has started the process to meet with representatives of minority groups in the Sint Maarten community.
The first meeting was recently held with a representative of the Chinese community J. Mock. The purpose of these meetings are to maintain an ongoing partnership that has been established since the conception of the NRB in 2013.
In the meeting the NRB conveyed to the representative the need to continuously strengthen ties with each minority group representative, seeing that the representatives may have a closer relationship with their members.
Some of the key topics discussed during the meeting were the NRB’s organization, their responsibilities and the human trafficking indicators that can be used if trafficking is suspected.
The main tasks of the NRB is to provide information on the risks of human trafficking and smuggling; taking care of the intake of victims of trafficking and providing them with protection such as giving a temporary residence permit; conducting a public campaign aimed at increasing public awareness and specific risk of the consequences of human trafficking and smuggling; channelling victims of trafficking and smuggling to health authorities and twinning partners and international organizations to enforcement staff in recognizing signs of smuggling and trafficking.
The NRB is a major step put in place to combat Human Trafficking and Smuggling in Sint Maarten using an organized and structured approach.
Recently the NRB informed the Sint Maarten community that the country does have a human trafficking victim’s protection regulation. This regulation was published in the National Gazette in 19th September 2014.
Individuals who are a victim of human trafficking can contact the authorities who will in turn issue the relevant temporary residence permit allowing them to remain in the country during the criminal investigation and ensuring legal proceedings.
To report suspected cases of human trafficking, call Tel.: (721) 542-1553 or email na*******@gm***.com
All calls and emails are kept confidential! The NRB office hours are from 8:00am till 17.00pm, Monday through Friday, and is located at A.Th. Illidge road #6, Phillipsburg.