2. Regional Coordination.
Trafficking in the countries that
participated in this study has been shown to have a heavy regional
dynamic. Particularly between the states of Nicaragua, Honduras, El
Salvador, Guatemala and Belize, trafficking occurs in a manner
ignorant of the borders that lie between the states.
As has been shown,
the required institutional responses from law enforcement, immigration
departments, courts, child welfare agencies, women's protection
agencies and others are still constrained by national boundaries.
In order to address these problems it is recommended that:
a. Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements.
Regional mechanisms and bi and multi lateral agreements in these areas are
necessary tools that work despite the physical separation of states.
Based on current trafficking activity, priority issues for regional
agreements include:
. law enforcement and immigration cooperation and
exchange of intelligence;
. safe and secure return of trafficked citizens;
. special procedures for interventions, treatment, protection
and return of trafficked children within the region;
. mechanisms for the participation of non national material
victim witnesses in criminal and other legal proceedings;
and
. regional information collection systems and databases.
b. Bilateral Forums and Organizational Collaboration.
Existing regional mechanisms and forums governmental, nongovernmental
and mixed can play an important role in facilitating
dialogues between the States. In addition, the coordination between
non-governmental organizations that currently contribute to combating
trafficking can be further encouraged; partnerships between state and
non state actors should also be enhanced.
II. At the National Level
The trafficking of women and children for purposes of
commercial sexual exploitation in the region has demonstrated itself to
be a complex and sensitive matter affecting the core dignity and human
rights of its victims. Accordingly, strategies to combat trafficking
activity will need to engage and address the diversity of issues that
contribute to its existence.
Broad, coordinated actions between all
relevant actors in law enforcement, immigration, social services, health,
education, labor, foreign affairs and human rights will assist in
responding to this characteristic of trafficking.