Curaçao promoted in trafficking in persons report

WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has been promoted from Tier 3 to Tier 2 on the warning list in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the United States. According to the report, the government has achieved significant results, earning Curaçao a better position on the list.

“The government of Curaçao does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so,” the report states. The editorial team of Nu.cw notes from the research that the government has, among other things, appointed a special prosecutor to oversee human trafficking cases and established a new coordination office to combat human trafficking.

This new office, called 'PATH,' focuses on the prevention of abuse and human trafficking in Curaçao. PATH is a collaborative effort between the government, NGOs, and international partners.

Despite these achievements, the government has not prosecuted or convicted any human traffickers. The report also highlights that officials have limited awareness of human trafficking and often confuse the crime with 'migrant smuggling,' which hampers the effectiveness of prosecution, prevention, and protection efforts.