Trafficking in Persons in Puerto Rico: Evaluating the Scope of the Problem, Developing Public Policy Recommendations, and Designing Tools for Intervention
A Collaborative Program Designed by the Ricky Martin Foundation, the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and The Protection Project at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
(May, 10th 2007, Washington, D.C. & San Juan, Puerto Rico) – Committed to the eradication of human trafficking and exploitation of children, The Protection Project at The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), The Ricky Martin Foundation, and the Río Piedras Campus at The University of Puerto Rico signed today a partnership to thoroughly investigate this modern form of slavery in one of the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean.
The collaborative effort, dubbed “Trafficking in Persons in Puerto Rico: Evaluating the Scope of the Problem, Developing Public Policy Recommendations, and Designing Tools for Intervention,” will shed light on the complexities, challenges, and consequences that this horrendous and lucrative crime has for the lives of members of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
“As advocates of children’s rights and strong combatants of human trafficking, we are honored to join efforts with two prestigious institutions in order to examine the trends of trafficking in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, this crime exists in every country and we owe the children a life where they are not sold as merchandise”, said Foundation President and international artist Ricky Martin.
Dr. Mohamed Mattar, Executive Director of The Protection Project and Research Professor of Law, explained that the purpose of the investigation is to provide for “a comprehensive program responding to the problem trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in Puerto Rico. Among the goals of the collaborative effort between our investigators and the University of Puerto Rico investigators is to acquire an inclusive understanding of this crime, develop a set of policy recommendations and practical tools to combat human trafficking within the Puerto Rican context and propose amendments to the existing legislation that will protect, prevent and rehabilitate potential victims”.
Regarding the methodology, the partners explained that the investigation is designed as an 18-month, three-phase program (research, development and public awareness) that seeks to engage all sectors of society. Amongst them are civil society, the private sector, the tourism industry, the government, non-governmental organizations, and schools and other academic institutions.
University of Puerto Rico President Antonio García Padilla emphasized that one of the key components of this “unprecedented investigation is that it will educate members of academic institutions on the issue of trafficking. Moreover, this alliance will enhance public awareness and build the capacity of local government officials and non-governmental organizations to combat this unscrupulous and multi-millionaire market”.
The Chancellor of the University of Puerto Rico -Río Piedras Campus-, Gladys Escalona de Motta added that the signing of this partnership demonstrates the university’s continuous commitment to promote research among its students and the new generation of knowledge. “It’s a privilege that the School of Public Administration is collaborating in such an important project in order to formulate effective policy making regarding human trafficking. This phenomenon seems invisible particularly in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico. We are very proud to join efforts in such a significant initiative”.
The investigation will also include a report on the scope of human trafficking in Puerto Rico and the alliance will organize workshops with policymakers and service providers to promote the implementation of recommendations and to design steps forward in Puerto Rico and in Washington, DC.
About the Organizations:
The Protection Project at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
The Protection Project focuses on promoting human rights values throughout the world by engaging in academic research and conducting training, exchange, and fellowship programs related to issues of trafficking in persons and child labor, human rights education including human rights studies in university, secondary and elementary curricula, women’s empowerment, state compliance with internationally recognized human rights and capacity building for civil society in developing and transition countries.
Ricky Martin Foundation
The Ricky Martin Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for the well-being of children around the world in critical areas such as social justice, education and health. Our principal Project People for Children condemns child exploitation.
University of Puerto Rico
UPR is the oldest and largest university in Puerto Rico, and the first public university in Puerto Rico. The School of Public Administration will lead the investigation focusing on the issue of trafficking in persons in Puerto Rico and in developing strategies to effectively assess its scope and develop effective solutions.
