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Crack down on Human Trafficking in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Human Trafficking

INTRODUCTIONOur two previous Appeals to the Government of Belize, in which we urged them to stop human trafficking in their country, extended a hand of partnership to Prime Minister Dean Barrow.In this our third Appeal, we provide further details on a step that can be taken immediately to address human trafficking in Belize:  crack down on San Pedro Ambergris Caye.San Pedro, Ambergris CayeThe Belize tourism boycott has designated San Pedro a red flag no-go zone for tourists because it is a center for human trafficking. In fact, it is among the worst violators in Central America.San Pedro is heavily populated with ficha bars specializing in exploiting women victims of human trafficking.  The Town of San Pedro counts 90 human trafficking bars that specialize in forced prostitution of human trafficking victims.  This is in a town with a population of a population of 12,000.Human Trafficking Corruption in San PedroTop Cop CorruptedCorruption in San Pedro as it affects human trafficking has three pulse points:  Mayor Elsa Paz; the police; and the bar owned by the Mayor, Big Daddy’s Night Club.Mayor Paz – enjoys the benefits but none of the restrictions associated with conflict of interest for politicians. The Mayor appointed her brother George to the resort island’s five-member liquor board, which is authorized to issue and enforce liquor regulations locally. The liquor board approved over 390 licenses this year. Ninety of those licenses were awarded to ficha bars known for offering human trafficking victims as part of their bill of fare.As the co-owner of Big Daddy’s Night Club she uses her influence to make sure the human trafficking victims in her club remain enslaved, working for her and her brother.  Together they profit from the trade in drugs and human trafficking, selling victims to other local bar owners or forcing them into prostitution at Big Daddy’s.Big Daddy’s Night Club – is the anchor for human trafficking in San Pedro.  It is the hub out of which all of the human trafficking victims coming to town are sold and dispatched to other local ficha bars.  Our sources in San Pedro tell us up to 500 human trafficking victims a year are processed through Big Daddy’s. Notorious for its selection of trafficked girls, it operates without interference from the police.  It is also a major drug-dealing establishment, which the police also turn a blind eye to.The police – are in Mayor Paz’s pocket.  They do not enforce liquor licensing laws, which hold that prostitution in bars is an offence, punishable by fine and possible conviction.  They also provide security for Big Daddy’s and are among the establishment’s best customers for trafficked girls.Appeal to Prime Minister Dean Barrow:  start with a crack down on San PedroIn our recent Appeal #2 to the Belize government, we urged Prime Minister Barrow to strengthen and enforce liquor laws so they provide penalties to bar owner profiting from prostitution, including:1) Fines for bar owners, starting at $2,000 (Belize) for a first offence2) Suspension of liquor license for a period of six months for the first offence, up to two years for the second, and up to five years for subsequent violations3) Monitor police enforcement of liquor license lawsIn the immediate term, we are asking the Prime Minister to enforce Belize’s current liquor license laws. These laws that would empower inspection and crack down on bars which permit on-premises prostitution.We respectfully submit that Prime Minister Barrow move immediately to investigate and prosecute San Pedro bar owners profiting from human trafficking victims in forced prostitution.  We suggest he make a first-strike example of Mayor Paz, her bar, Big Daddy’s Night Club, and her relationship with the police.We further submit that the following San Pedro ficha bars, which openly exploit human trafficking victims, be investigated and pursued under Belize law: Tinapa; Black& White; Back-A-Town; Riverside; Mings; Las Amigos; Pedro’s; Sport Bar; Jovinies;  and Tackle Box.APPEALIn submitting this appeal to the Belize government, I am urging the Dean Barrow government to act immediately to address human trafficking along and within its borders.Specifically, I am endorsing the above-noted anti-trafficking measures regarding: targeting a crackdown on human trafficking in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; inspecting and pursuing under Belize laws San Pedro bar owners who profit from human trafficking victims.Keywords: Human Trafficking, Trafficking In Humans, Trafficking In Humans Guatemala, Belize tourism boycott, human trafficking reports | Tagged: Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking Central America, Human Trafficking Guatemala, Fight Human Trafficking, US Government Human Trafficking, human trafficking San Pedro Belize, Vivian Trill on Belize Boycott

Human Trafficking

Belize and U.S. Poised forHuman Trafficking Win: Win 

Organization for Responsible Tourism (ORT) has released???Appeal #5:  Ask Belize and U.S.for Win: Win on Human Trafficking,??? a petition document urging the American andBelize governments to negotiate real action on human trafficking to avertworst-list status for this Central American human trafficking corridor, ORTPresident Vivian Trill today announced.  

 

Now is the time for the US to start getting a commitmentfrom Belize to make some real changes that would have real impact on blockinghuman traffickers: tightening immigration and strengthening and enforcingliquor license laws,??? said ORT President Vivian Trill.  ???Send the Appeal to these twogovernments telling them that you want real action on human trafficking toavert Tier 3 status for Belize.???

 

Appeal #5 contains recommendations for how the U.S. andBelize governments can work together to avert a Tier 3 status for Belize. TheAppeal recommends that in upcoming reviews and negotiations, the two countriesestablish a commitment that Belize will:

 

Strengthen and enforce its immigration policies - regulate border protocolStrengthen and enforce liquor licensing laws - address forced prostitution   

 

???These actions would seriously block human traffickers bychecking the flow across borders and cutting off their real customers, the barowner who force human trafficking victims into prostitution,??? said Trill.  ???As always, we are also asking thatBelize enforce its current human trafficking laws to prosecute and convicthuman trafficking criminals.???

 

Belize finds itself in a position where next year it couldface Tier 3 designation as a worst-list human trafficking nation.  With Tier 3 status comes the potentialfor economic sanctions.  Under theAmerican anti-trafficking in persons act, Belize has the option to negotiatewith the US to avoid Tier 3 status.

 

For two years in a row, the US has designated Belize a Tier2 Watch List nation under the American Trafficking in Victims ProtectionAct.  That means that it does notfully comply with minimum standards for addressing human trafficking.

 

There are no sanctions attached to Tier 2 Watch Liststatus.  Potential economicsanctions for Tier 3 designation include US opposition to assistance fromfinancial institutions such as the World Bank or International Monetary Fund.

 

ORT promotes traveling for a better world.

 

via takenwomen.webs.com

???These actions would seriously block human traffickers bychecking the flow across borders and cutting off their real customers, the barowner who force human trafficking victims into prostitution,??? said Trill. ???As always, we are also asking thatBelize enforce its current human trafficking laws to prosecute and convicthuman trafficking criminals.???

Canadians Avoid Belize Travel Child sex tourism ???an emerging trend in Belize ??? Belize News

Belize a Crime Zone For Tourism

Child sex tourism “an emerging trend in Belize – Belize News … Jun 18, 2010 … “Child sex tourism has been identified as an emerging trend in Belize,” it adds. The report calls out the Government of Belize…www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=9971 -
Travel Advice for Belize – Australian Department of Foreign …Jul 23, 2010 … We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Belize because of …. terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. … www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/belize

I’ve been to Belize many times and from first-hand experience I can tell Canadians it is not safe to travel there.  Organization for Responsible Tourism is asking Canadians to boycott Belize tourism. I’m providing Canadians with five good reasons not to travel to Belize.  There’s one overarching message.  It’s dangerous for residents and tourist alike.

Number one. According to The Economist magazine, Belize is the murder capital of the world.  Relative to its size and population, it outranks all nations.  Latest statistics show Belize with 97 murders for a population of 320,000.  To put that into perspective, Metro Toronto has 41 murders for the same period, but for a population of 2.4 million people.
Most of the Belize homicides were gun related.  http://www.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=25234

Number two. The Belize government says the country is in crisis due to its crime rate and that its citizens do not feel safe in their communities. The government also expressed lack of confidence in its own police department, citing corruption and lack of accountability.   The following is from a recent Belize Cabinet release. “The Government of Belize recognizes the crisis of crime, violence and social degradation in which we find ourselves. These social ills are of priority concern to our citizens, whose right to live in a secure environment is being eroded daily.”  Note:  this means tourists are always looking over the shoulders.  Hard to take in the scenery that way.  http://www.belize.gov.bz/ct.asp?xItem=2125&ctNode=633&mp=27

Gangs of Belize

Number three. The Canadian government advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in Belize. US Government offers similar advice and more details of why Belize is a very bad destination for tourists.  “Mugging is a risk to travellers especially in Belize City.  Although the majority of reported incidents are in Belize City, crime occurs in all districts including tourist spots such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Placencia.  Muggings can occur at any time:  day or night.  Avoid dark alleys, keep valuables out of sight, and do not wear jewellery.  Where possible you should travel in groups.  You should use a qualified guide for trips off the beaten track.  In some areas of Belize City there has recently been an increased risk of gang related violence.  We advise visitors to avoid the areas around George Street and Kraal Road and to exercise caution whilst walking in the city.??????A lack of resources and training impedes the ability of the police to investigate crimes effectively and to apprehend serious offenders.  As a result, many crimes remain unresolved.  Nevertheless, victims of crime should report immediately to the police all incidents of assault, robbery, theft or other crimes.”

Number four. Belize’s culture of corruption makes it unattractive to tourists.  Drug-related crime in particular is spilling over into many communities, including resort areas.  This is an assessment from the American Bar Association.  Belize “is continuously plagued by violence, crime and corruption … Violent crime, money laundering and drug trafficking continue unabated in part due to insufficient countermeasures and government corruption. The scourge of drugs and transnational crime has heavily contributed to the rising crime rate and social decline in Belize.” http://www.abanet.org/rol/latin_america/belize.html

Number five: Belizeans do not trust their government to protect them.   Almost 15 percent of the San Pedro Ambergris Caye population turned out this spring to protest the crime rate and lack of safety in this resort town.  Residents’ loss of their sense of security fueled the event. With the increasing numbers of home invasions, burglaries and armed hold ups, many no longer feel safe and secure in their homes and businesses. Robberies and car jackings, often injuring the victims, also heighten their insecurity.  http://www.sanpedrodaily.com/5-8-10.html Belizeans for Justice recently called for the resignation of the Belize Police Commissioner.  Belizeans for Justice members have since continued to fear for their lives. http://www.reporter.bz/index.php?mod=article&cat=Social&article=4479
The law partner of Prime Minister Dean Barrow shot.
The law partner of Prime Minister Dean Barrow was shot on Monday night as he left his law firm on Albert Street. The news of the shooting spread like wild fire across the city because it involved Rodwell Williams whose law firm was shot at as recent as April fifteenth.  Indications are that the shooting was not triggered by robbery, but instead a clear execution attempt on Williams.  Williams was rushed to the Belize Healthcare Partners where throughout the night and this morning doctors worked to save his life.

Betty Philips is originally from Orillia Ontario, she earned degrees at the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo. She currently lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.