Human Trafficking in St Maarten, a growing problem

The Caribbean Island of St Maarten has been the centre of attention recently as the island’s law enforcement authorities liberated four victims of human trafficking on the 4th of January, 2024.

Case Details and Police Statement

Police personnel stationed on Rhine Road are said to have come across a speeding vehicle at around 1:30 am, which aroused their apprehensions.

In an official statement regarding the matter, the St Maarten Police Force said the following, “The officers promptly intervened, stopping the vehicle to conduct a thorough inspection. Upon inspection, it was discovered that five individuals occupied the vehicle. Subsequent investigations revealed that these persons were likely smuggled into Sint Maarten via the French side of the island.”

Additionally, the Police Force stated the following, “The driver, identified by the initials J.B, was taken into custody at the scene in connection with human smuggling. The four individuals suspected of being victims of human smuggling have also been brought to the police station.”

Sources have suggested that the victims of this trafficking ring were promptly handed over to the Immigration Department, ensuring their safety and well-being in accordance with the due process of the law.

The Police Force also delineated its perspective on the ills of human trafficking and its subsequent impact on the social fabric of the island, “Human smuggling poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of individuals involved, as well as the broader community. The Sint Maarten Police Force is committed to combating such illicit activities and will work in collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation.”

US Department of State Report on Human Trafficking in St Maarten

The US Department of State maintains that St Maarten fails to meet some of the baser requirements to tackle the issue of Human Trafficking and has also shown a disregard towards taking significant steps by not introducing anti-trafficking measures. Thus it remains on Tier 3 in this particular regard.

This is not to say that St Maarten is completely negligent towards the problem, as it has managed to uphold three significant convictions in cases of trafficking and has passed the NAP to counter the issue.

There is a glaring lack of action in certain regards though, as St Maarten has failed prosecute and convict traffickers in recent times and lacks the appropriate services that are meant to rendered to trafficking victims in such cases.

The government has also failed to efficiently impose the new NAP and failed to provide shelters to victims or establish funds for their benefit.

To make matters worse, authorities in St Maarten cannot collaborate between agencies, which make the task of countering human trafficking rings even more complex for them.

Authorities have also been known to confuse the issue of Human Trafficking with migrant smuggling which further complicates the matter.

US Department of State’s recommendation for St Maarten

The US Department of State has issued a list of requirements and guidelines which, if followed, would allow St Maarten to tackle the issue of Human Trafficking appropriately, bringing a positive shift in the future.

1. St Maarten must redouble its efforts to investigate, prosecute and if necessary, convict Human Traffickers so as to set the right example and clamp down on Trafficking rings operating in and around the island.
2. The 2022-2023 NAP is recognized as a step in the right direction, both by authorities and observers but the government has failed to implement it effectively. Thus, steps must be taken to ensure that the NAP is applied to the full extent of its capabilities.
3. Authorities in St Maarten must take steps to proactively locate and prosecute Human Traffickers by screening migrant workers to ensure that they are not being exploited by trafficking operations or willingly taking part in such activities.
4. St Maarten must pursue cooperative measures that allow for a coordinated effort against Human Trafficking to be initiated in conjunction with the relevant international organizations, the Kingdom of Netherlands and NGOs.
5. Public service personnel such as judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officials must be trained with a specific focus on victim identification and the ability to differentiate between migrant smuggling and Human Trafficking so as not to conflate the two issues.
6. Implementation of formal SOPs so as to allow medical personnel and officials to identify and refer victims to the appropriate authorities efficiently.
7. St Maarten must reestablish the National Reporting Bureau on Human Trafficking (NRB).
8. Authorities must also facilitate the dissemination of relevant information among the masses and victims about their rights with regard to Human Trafficking.