GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The National Reporting Bureau (NRB) for Human Trafficking which falls under the Ministry of Justice, hereby informs 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 19thSeptember 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.
Article 7, point five, of the National Ordinance Admittance and Expulsion, explains the procedures to apply for a temporary residence permit.
This is one of the policy instruments implemented according to the action plan Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2014. 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 emailnaticotip@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.
Sint Maarten has a human trafficking victim’s protection regulation since September 2014
