Lessons from the Road: Ecuador, Jamaica, and Other Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Americas

Abstract

This article identifies obstacles encountered in the hemisphere and provides practical examples in order to assist countries in adopting laws that are not only consistent with their international obligations, but more importantly help them better serve their citizenry. The article also explores the various ideas and lessons learned over the last five years throughout the hemisphere, drawing heavily from the author’s experience in Ecuador and in the course of training throughout the American continent for consular, immigration, law enforcement officers, and United Nations’ Peace Keeping forces. A brief comment is made of various laws adopted in the region, and analysis centers on the existing Jamaican anti-trafficking law as a best practice law, proposing its use as a model law in Latin America and the Caribbean.