WHEREAS, trafficking In Persons (TIP), is a grave violation of human rights and a form of modern day slavery that is being experienced globally, which includes the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of threats or use of force, fraud, abduction, deception, abuse of power, manipulation of the vulnerabilities of others, the giving and receiving of payment or benefits in order to achieve the consent of or control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.

AND WHEREAS, regardless of gender, race, age, religion, nationality, many persons become victims of Trafficking In Persons for a variety of reasons, inclusive of forced or bonded labour, domestic servitude, forced marriage, organ removal, prostitution, pornography, and maiming for the purpose of begging;

AND WHEREAS, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, gender inequality, cultural biases, civil unrest, natural disasters and sexual abuse are among the social, economic, political and other factors that make people vulnerable to Trafficking In Persons and further exacerbate conditions that cause trafficking to thrive.

AND WHEREAS, The Bahamas has ratified The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking In Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing The United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes, which recognizes Trafficking In Persons as an offence;

AND WHEREAS, The Bahamas enacted legislation, Chapter 106, Trafficking In Persons (Prevention and Suppression) Act 2008, which defines Trafficking In Persons as a criminal offence, and fulfills The Bahamas’ obligations under the United Nations Protocol to prevent Trafficking In Persons, protect and care for Victims, prosecute Traffickers and collaborate with stakeholders to obliterate this crime;

AND WHEREAS, our legislative framework obligates The Bahamas to respond fully and effectively to the terms and conditions of the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking In Persons.

AND WHEREAS, The Bahamas has established two national bodies, a Trafficking In Persons Inter-Ministry Committee and a Trafficking In Persons Task Force, to serve as the coordinating and operational bodies for all Trafficking In Persons matters, inter alia, awareness education among vulnerable groups, rescue and protection of victims and investigation and prosecution of perpetrators, also local, regional and international training of and for committee members;

AND WHEREAS, having adopted a comprehensive National Anti-Trafficking Action Plan, which creates a common understanding and coordinated action among an array of stakeholders and actors, in addition to ensuring the financial support of local and international donors;

AND WHEREAS, The Bahamas in observance of the United Nations “World Day Against Trafficking In Persons”, seeks to raise public awareness and thereby educate and encourage citizens and residents to become more involved in reporting incidents of suspected Trafficking In Persons;

NOW THEREFORE, I, The Hon. Philip Edward “Brave” Davis, KC, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of The Bahamas, do hereby proclaim the month of July as “TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS MONTH” and Sunday, 30th July, 2023 as “WORLD DAY AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS”. I call upon national and community organizations, businesses, families, and all Bahamians to recognize the vital role we must play in ending Trafficking In Persons and to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities.

Download a copy of the signed proclamation by clicking here.