Jamaica Retains Tier 2 Status in U.S. State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report

Jamaica has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the US State Department's 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report.

A Level 2 rating means that Jamaica does not fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so.

The US Department of State report released today highlights that the Jamaican government has demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period.

These efforts included identifying and assisting many more victims, including adults, men and foreigners.

The report said the government launched more investigations and prosecutions of suspected traffickers and made progress in institutionalizing training for criminal justice officials and victim service providers.

It also increased funding for victim services and opened six additional child-friendly spaces to interview and provide immediate assistance to child victims.

However, the report notes that the Jamaican government has failed to meet minimum standards in several key areas.

These included authorities prosecuting offenders under laws providing for lesser sentences, and offenders receiving an insufficient sentence not involving significant prison terms.

He noted that the government had also reduced funding for the National Anti-Trafficking Task Force and had not approved a national anti-trafficking policy, developed during the previous reporting period.

The report adds that the Jamaican government failed to approve a prevalence research study carried out during the reporting period, thereby undermining efforts to increase knowledge and awareness on the nature and extent of trafficking in the country.

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