Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery Poverty drives the unsuspecting poor into the
hands of traffickers Published reports & articles from 2000 to 2025 gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Belize.htm
Belize is a source,
transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for
the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. The most
common form of trafficking in |
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CAUTION: The following
links have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in HOW TO USE THIS WEB-PAGE Students If you are looking
for material to use in a term-paper, you are advised to scan the postings on
this page and others to see which aspects of Human Trafficking are of
particular interest to you. Would you
like to write about Forced-Labor? Debt
Bondage? Prostitution? Forced Begging? Child Soldiers? Sale of Organs? etc. On the other
hand, you might choose to include possible precursors of trafficking such as poverty. There is a lot to the subject
of Trafficking. Scan other countries
as well. Draw comparisons between
activity in adjacent countries and/or regions. Meanwhile, check out some of the Term-Paper resources
that are available on-line. Teachers Check out some of
the Resources
for Teachers attached to this website. HELP for Victims Local
Crime Stoppers ***
FEATURED ARTICLE *** Belize joins anti
human trafficking network Jacqueline Godwin
for News Five, April 26, 2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/9445 [accessed 22 January
2011] SAID MUSA, PRIME
MINISTER
- “ ***
ARCHIVES *** 2023 Findings on
the Worst Forms of Child Labor U.S. Dept of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Child
Labor and Forced Labor Reports www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/resources/reports/child-labor/belize
[accessed 22
December 2024] Moderate Advancement - In 2023, Belize
made moderate advancement in its efforts to eliminate the worst forms of
child labor. Belize joined the Regional Initiative Latin America and the
Caribbean Free of Child Labor and became the 31st member state in the
initiative, which has the goal of eradicating and preventing the worst forms
of child labor. Belize also extended free high school education to 1,600
students from economically vulnerable communities located in the poorest and
the most gang and crime-affected areas. In addition, the government assisted
nearly 8,000 adults and children from underserved communities in obtaining
their birth certificates, which are necessary for accessing education and
social services. The government also conducted an outreach campaign to raise
awareness and sensitivity to child labor, signing several memoranda of
understanding with associations of sugarcane producers and citrus growers.
However, despite these efforts, Belize does not meet international standards
on the prohibition of hazardous work because children over age 14 are
permitted to work in dangerous activities. In addition, Belize has not
adequately prohibited the use of children in illicit activities, including
the production and trafficking of drugs. 2020 Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices: Belize U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, 30 March 2021 www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/belize/
[accessed 11 May
2021] PROHIBITION OF
FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR Resources and
inspections to enforce compliance were insufficient. Forced labor of both
Belizean and foreign women occurred in bars, nightclubs, and domestic
service. Migrant men, women, and children were at risk for forced labor in
agriculture, fishing, and the service sector, including restaurants and
shops, particularly among the South Asian and Chinese communities. PROHIBITION OF CHILD
LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT Schooling is
mandatory until age 14, and many poorer parents withdraw their children from
school on their 14th birthday to put them to work in the informal sector.
Children working for their parents are exempt from many of the protections
provided in the formal system. Officers of the Ministry of Education are
unable to act legally against parents who withdraw their child from school
against their child’s wishes. Some children were
vulnerable to forced labor, particularly in the informal agricultural and
service sectors. Commercial sexual exploitation of children occurred (see
section 6, Children). According to the most recent data available from the
Statistical Institute of Belize from 2013, the country’s child labor rate was
3.2 percent, with half of those children involved in hazardous work. The
problem was most prevalent in rural areas. Boys accounted for 74 percent of
children illegally employed, mostly engaged in hazardous activities. Freedom House
Country Report 2020 Edition freedomhouse.org/country/belize/freedom-world/2020 [accessed 8 July
2020] G4. DO INDIVIDUALS
ENJOY EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION? Some legal
protections against exploitative working conditions are respected and enforced.
However, Belizean and foreign women and girls are vulnerable to sex
trafficking, and migrant workers are sometimes subjected to forced labor in
agriculture, fisheries, and retail businesses. The US State Department’s
Trafficking in Persons Report for 2019 noted two new trafficking
prosecutions, the first in four years, and increased resources for the antitrafficking police unit. However, the report also
noted that “the government did not investigate or prosecute any public
officials for complicity in trafficking-related offenses, despite allegations
of official complicity.” 2017 Findings on
the Worst Forms of Child Labor Office of Child
Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of International Labor
Affairs, US Dept of Labor, 2018 www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ilab/ChildLaborReport_Book.pdf [accessed 15 April
2019] www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ILAB/child_labor_reports/tda2017/ChildLaborReportBook.pdf [accessed 23 April
2020] Note:: Also check out this country’s report in the more recent edition DOL
Worst Forms of Child Labor [page 148] Among Belize’s
ethnic groups, Mennonites had the highest percentage of child labor with
approximately 9.5 percent of Mennonite children engaged in child labor. (8; 13;
11) Non-Mennonite children are also engaged in child labor on Mennonite-owned
land. (10) Children working on Mennonite land often use dangerous tools like
machetes, tractors, and ploughs, and work long hours in the sun without
proper hydration. (13; 10) Children in Belize
are also engaged in child labor in diving and fishing for fish, lobster, and
conch. (11) Many of these children cannot swim and have been injured working
with dangerous tools such as anchors, fish traps, chipping hammers, and spears.
(11) Girls from
impoverished communities and LGBTI children are particularly vulnerable to
commercial sexual exploitation and labor trafficking in Belize. (17; 16; 15)
Children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation in areas
frequented by tourists or seasonal workers, including oil truckers and citrus
workers. (2; 15) Anecdotal reports also indicate that teenage boys ages 12–17
from Belize City and San Pedro Town were recruited to transport and sell
drugs. (13; 11; 16). Human Trafficking
Concerns in the Commonwealth Caribbean: the 2009 U.S. State Department
Trafficking in Persons Report in focus [PDF] Commonwealth Human
Rights Initiative (CHRI) www.humanrightsinitiative.org/london/hr_in_caribbean/human_trafficking_in_the_caribbean_june_2009.pdf [accessed 22 January
2011] 6. THE CARIBBEAN IN
FOCUS - 1. Belize is a
source, transit, and destination country for people (including children)
trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour. Internal trafficking for sexual exploitation is
also a concern, especially when poorer families often feel obliged or,
pressured to compel girls to engage in sexual activity in exchange for
payment. 2. In 2008 Belize
was placed in Tier 2, however, the 2009 TIP Report has moved Belize into the
Watch List category largely in response to its failure to prosecute human
trafficking offences properly. The government of Belize has made significant
efforts to raise awareness and increase efforts of prevention and protection.
For example, there has been increased anti-trafficking training made
available for police and social workers. There are also government sponsored
residential care facilities available for victims of trafficking and the
government is supportive of local anti-trafficking NGOs. The prosecution of
offenders however remains inadequate and the Report found disturbing
incidences of official involvement in trafficking, often associated with
corruption. 3. Human
trafficking is prohibited under Belize domestic law by the Trafficking in
Persons Prohibition Act of 2003. Punishment for those prosecuted under this
act constitutes one to five years of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Tough as
these penalties are, they are not proportionate to penalties for other
serious criminal offences such as rape, which carries a penalty of eight
years to life imprisonment. The laws are also not adequately enforced and
there were no convictions last year despite a number of cases being brought
to trial. As it currently stands one prosecution was dismissed, two remain
pending and another pending appeal. Janelle Chanona, Reporting, News 5, September 28, 2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/8483 [accessed 19 April
2012] The
Musa administration is tonight breathing a sigh of relief following an
announcement by the In June
Belize was one of six countries placed on a Tier Three list by the Organization team
up to fight trafficking in persons Love FM, August 21,
2006 takenwomen.webs.com/apps/blog/show/3330489-carmen-zetina-director-of-immigration-and-nationality [accessed 19 April
2012] Several
organizations have teamed up to fight trafficking in persons or human
trafficking in O.A.S. trains
officials to fight human trafficking Jacqueline Godwin,
reporting, News 5, August 01, 2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/8840 [accessed 19 April
2012] The training of trainers
session will arm the participants--mainly law enforcement officials--with the
information to help them be able to identify victims and perpetrators of the
crime. The police, customs and immigration officers are then expected to
include the training in their work place. This latest initiative—aside from
being the right thing to do--is also one more effort to get Belize off the
tier three list established by the U.S. Department of State in its annual
investigation into worldwide human trafficking. Is progress being made?
Police Commissioner Gerald Westby believes the answer is yes. Annual Report Of
Activities By The Anti-Trafficking In Persons Section Of The Organization Of
American States - April 2005 To March 2006 [DOC] Inter-American Commission
Of Women, Organization Of American States, 27 March 2006 www.procuraduria.gov.do/PGR.NET/RemjaVI/Informes/Ingles.doc [accessed 22 January
2011] Immigration
director’s cousin arrested for trafficking News 5, July 28,
2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/8866 [accessed 19 April
2012] Esquivel's story is
that her employer, Zetina, had initially hired her
to work in a restaurant. But shortly after her arrival in Corozal,
she was repeatedly asked to sexually satisfy male patrons at the Caracol Bar. Esquivel claims she said no to the requests,
but that Zetina refused to pay her for her work.
When she went to a friend to get help, Esquivel says she was ambushed and
beaten by persons believed to be acting on her boss's behalf. Extra House
businessman busted on alleged human trafficking Angel Novelo, The Reporter, 30.06.2006 www.reporter.bz/index.php?mod=archive&act=view&article=1248 [Last accessed 22
January 2011] A There have been
widespread reports of several Indian and Chinese businesses operating across
the country known to bring these individuals in to work while witholding their travel documents. P.M. rebuts News 5, June 07,
2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/9190 [accessed 19 April
2012] SAID MUSA, PRIME
MINISTER
- “That Belize is now lumped and almost put in a box so to speak with, Salvadoran child
may be victim of human trafficking News 5, April 28,
2006 edition.channel5belize.com/archives/9435 [accessed 19 April
2012] But what would a
small Salvadoran be doing in Concluding
Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, 28 January 2005 www1.umn.edu/humanrts/crc/belize2005.html [accessed 22 January
2011] [67] The Committee
welcomes the adoption in 2003 of the Trafficking in Persons
(Prohibition) Act, which provides special protection for children, and the
subsequent establishment of a special Task Force to give greater effect to
the implementation of the Act, and notes the State party’s efforts to combat
sexual exploitation of children, for instance, through the “Stamp Out Child
Abuse” campaign. Notwithstanding these positive steps taken by the State
party, the Committee is concerned about the sexual exploitation of children,
child pornography and trafficking of children in The Protection Project - Belize The www.protectionproject.org/human_rights_reports/report_documents/belize.doc [accessed 2009] www.protectionproject.org/country-reports/ [accessed 22 February
2016] FACTORS THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRAFFICKING INFRASTRUCTURE - Throughout the Central American
region, “machismo” attitudes are prevalent, and women are often viewed as
sexual objects. Interfamily violence, the breakdown of families, and poverty
push young people to leave their homes and communities to search for better
lives. FORMS OF TRAFFICKING - Many of the
teenage girls and children trafficked into the country from neighboring
Central American countries are forced to work in domestic service, as bar
maids, and in prostitution. ***
EARLIER EDITIONS OF SOME OF THE ABOVE *** The Department of Labor’s 2004 Findings on
the Worst Forms of Child Labor www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2004/belize.htm [accessed 22 January
2011] Note:: Also check out this country’s report in the more recent edition DOL
Worst Forms of Child Labor INCIDENCE
AND NATURE OF CHILD LABOR - Belize is considered a transit and destination
country for children trafficked for sexual exploitation. Girls are also
trafficked internally for commercial exploitation and to work in pornography.
The practice of selling female
children to older men for sexual purposes has been reported to occur
throughout the country. 2017 Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, 20 April 2018 www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2017/wha/277309.htm
[accessed 17 March
2019] www.state.gov/reports/2017-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/belize/
[accessed 24 June
2019] PROHIBITION OF
FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR Forced labor of
both Belizean and foreign women occurred in bars, nightclubs, and domestic
service. Migrant men, women, and children were at risk for forced labor in
agriculture, fishing, and in the service sector, including restaurants and
shops, particularly among the South Asian and Chinese communities. Human Rights
Reports » 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61716.htm [accessed 7 February
2020] TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS
– During the year the government's efforts to identify trafficking victims
were weakened by inadequate investigation and inspection by authorities.
There were no reliable estimates of the extent of trafficking. There were
reports that women were trafficked to the country from neighboring countries
primarily for prostitution and nude dancing. Victims generally lived in
squalid conditions in the bars where they worked. Some bar owners reportedly
confiscated victims' passports. Agents of the bars and brothels lured women
and girls to the country, and they or taxi drivers along the border delivered
women to brothels. There were reports
of persons trafficked for labor purposes, including instances of Chinese
immigrants being forced to work in local Chinese-owned sweatshops and of
children working in activities such as shining shoes or selling newspapers at
kiosks. Members of the East Indian community also trafficked persons from All
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