Montego Bay, Jamaica – Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Chairperson of the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, says Jamaica continues to make important strides in the fight against human trafficking.

“We have secured 16 convictions, rescued over 130 victims, established safe spaces for children, and we’ve established an office for independent oversight through the appointment of a national rapporteur on trafficking in persons, which is the first of its kind in the region,” she informed.

She was addressing the Caribbean Trafficking in Persons (CariTIP) Forum held on Wednesday (July 30), at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James.

The event, hosted by the Ministry and the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), brought together regional governments, international organisations, and civil society stakeholders to strengthen the Caribbean’s coordinated response to human trafficking.

Ambassador Stone Roofe reaffirmed Jamaica’s dedication to ending human trafficking through strengthened regional cooperation.

“This forum provides a very vital platform for us to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and develop innovative strategies to eradicate trafficking in persons across our nations. It also signals Jamaica’s continued commitment to regional partnerships in the fight against trafficking in persons,” she noted.

“As we gather today, we do so in the spirit of collaboration, commitment, and as a community with a shared responsibility to combat one of the most heinous crimes of our time, and that is human trafficking,” Ambassador Stone Roofe said.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, in her remarks, urged the regional stakeholders to prioritise strong prosecutorial and investigative collaboration in the fight against human trafficking.

She noted that prosecutors and investigators are “the ones who have that first contact” with victims.

“Sometimes, we get so caught up trying to get from Tier Three to Tier Two to Tier One to come off the ranking system that we become immersed in the optics, but for every person rescued, we rescue hope,” she said.

Ms. Llewellyn recounted a powerful encounter with a former trafficking victim, who was brought to Jamaica from Haiti at age 14.

“She not only received an excellent education in Jamaica, she was well looked after, did a certification to become a chef and she said to me, ‘Ms. Llewellyn, I’m getting married next year,’” she shared. “It made my day… my week,” she added.

For her part, Children’s Advocate and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison, urged the delegates to “embrace the opportunity to pursue meaningful, integrative dialogue, identify regional strategies that make us stronger together”.

She highlighted the need to examine the gaps in collaboration that may exist, “so that we may take action to close those gaps and build a robust model that serves our region well”.

Mrs. Gordon Harrison said that the forum’s theme is fitting and timely and encouraged delegates to remain engaged even after returning home.

“Let us reflect, not just for today, but even as we return to our respective organisations and countries, on what practices work well and would benefit from being expanded and scaled up,” she said.

The CariTIP Forum, which coincided with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, also marked the 20^th anniversary of NATFATIP.

Contact: Serena Grant

Release: JIS

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

SERENA GRANT PHOTOS 

Diahann Harrison: Children’s Advocate and National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Diahann Gordon Harrison, gives remarks at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Trafficking in Persons (CariTIP) Forum, at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday (July 30).

Paula Llwellyn: Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, addresses the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Trafficking in Persons (CariTIP) Forum at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday (July 29).

Stone Roofe: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Chairperson of the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, addresses the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Trafficking in Persons (CariTIP) Forum at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday (July 30).

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

August 1, 2025 – The Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas are entering a pivotal weather phase as tropical moisture is expected to bring rain from Monday through Wednesday, signaling a shift in conditions despite no tropical cyclone currently affecting the region. Forecasters, including several YouTube weather analysts, have flagged this transition—not as a storm, but as a notable uptick in rainfall associated with atmospheric waves approaching the southwest Atlantic.

This change is arriving alongside a forecasted plume of Saharan dust, set to drift westward early next week. That dry, dusty air layer is notorious for reducing cloud cover, suppressing rainfall in the early season, and limiting tropical storm formation. When it arrives, skies will turn hazy, air quality may decline to moderate levels, and visibility will lower, even while thermometers remain elevated.

Meanwhile, long-range models from the U.S. Climate Prediction Center flag the Atlantic and eastern Gulf corridor from August 6–12 as the first period this season with increased chances—albeit still low—of tropical development. Historically, August marks the escalation of hurricane formation, making the coming weeks especially important for vigilant monitoring.                                                                                                                                                                                                         As of August 1, 2025, three named storms have already formed in the Atlantic: Alberto, Beryl, and Chris. The remaining names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season are: Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Humberto, Idalia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, and Victor.

At present, no systems in the Pacific basin are forecasted to affect Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, or The Bahamas. The eastern Pacific remains active, but no cross-basin moisture or disturbances are expected to cross into our region.

In summary, residents should brace for a few days of elevated rain chances in early August, under skies tinged with dust and variable sunshine. While the Atlantic remains largely quiet today, a gradual shift toward wetter, more unstable weather is underway, and early to mid-August may well mark the true start of the season’s active phase. Stay tuned for updated alerts and official forecasts as conditions evolve.

Photo Caption: MrWeatherman/YouTube

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — A joint statement released July 29 by three Haitian community leaders—Rev. James Prosper, Mr. Vaguy Vilmar, and Dr. Alces Dor—expressed deep outrage at Premier Charles Washington Misick’s recent comments, which linked Haitian residents to 75% of serious crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands and urged community leaders to help provide intelligence on gun and drug smuggling routes.

“This narrative works so well for the criminals,” the statement read. The leaders accused anonymous social media accounts of amplifying hateful discourse, warning this tactic distracts from addressing the true drivers of violence. They noted that posts scapegoating Haitian surnames proliferated online before authorities even had the chance to issue arrest warrants.

Community sentiment was blunt: “We cannot afford to let our true selves be defined by a competition over which nation produces more criminals in our community.” Instead, they urged unity and focus on real perpetrators, regardless of nationality.

While acknowledging the pain caused by violence, the leaders demanded evidence of accountability: “The most significant news… is yet to come: ‘How many criminals have been apprehended?’” They questioned whether security forces would deliver hard facts rather than rhetoric.

Hope Radio host Joseph Vixaille echoed the sentiment, urging the Premier to include all communities in dialogue. “Instead of calling only Haitian leaders to the table…I urge you to call all community leaders from every nationality. We must deal with the root causes—poverty, neglect, lack of education and opportunity.” He added: “Your statement alienates and stigmatizes an entire community… They are good enough to vote… good enough to build our homes… but when crime happens, they become the scapegoat, why?”

A young Haitian resident also weighed in, saying:  “I don’t usually make posts like this, but as a young Haitian who grew up here in the Turks & Caicos Islands, this is the only place I truly call home… So why should we take offense when the Hon. Premier calls on the Haitian community to help — because, let’s be honest, enough is enough… We have a responsibility to protect the future of the country we now call home.”

However, while the collective message calls for unity and accountability, the opportunity for meaningful dialogue may now be strained. Shortly after these statements, the Turks and Caicos government—alongside the UK-appointed Governor—approved a six-month moratorium on first-time work permits and travel entry visas for Haitian citizens, citing concerns over national security and rising migration.

In an official press release dated July 28, Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the nightclub shooting and extended condolences to Turks and Caicos leadership and affected families. The ministry condemned the violence and pledged cooperation with local authorities to curb cross-border criminal activity, while also referencing recent residential fires involving Haitian victims and warning against “manipulation or politicization” of the events.

Despite decades of contribution, the Haitian community now finds itself at the heart of a political and security flashpoint. Whether these calls for justice and cooperation are heeded remains to be seen—but they have, without question, been made.