GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Ministry of Justice on December 2nd issued its first temporary residency permit to a family under the country’s human trafficking victim’s protection regulation.
The National Reporting Bureau (NRB) for Human Trafficking which falls under the Ministry of Justice, recently 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 on 19th September 2014.
A case of Human Trafficking has been reported to the NRB on Human Trafficking. This case was seen by the authorities as a form of exploitation. The family, who were the victims in this case, were granted a temporary permit under the Human Trafficking victim protection regulation mentioned above.
Individuals who are a victim of human trafficking can contact the NRB directly 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 once it has been determined that the person is a victim of aforementioned.
Article 7, point five, of the National Ordinance Admittance and Expulsion, explains the procedures to apply for a temporary residence permit.
Through the “Temporary residency” regulation victims are given the opportunity, and are being encouraged to assist in the investigation and prosecution of the offenders of human trafficking.
Human trafficking is the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them, and the Sint Maarten NRB continues to work to prevent the aforementioned from taking place on Sint Maarten.
To report suspected cases of human trafficking, call Tel.: (721) 542-1553 or email: naticotip@gmail.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.
Ministry of Justice issues first temporary residency permit under human trafficking victim’s protection regulation
