A&B told to implement plan to rid country of human trafficking

Antigua & Barbuda has been spared a downgrade for it human rights practices, but the US State Department is telling the country it should implement its plan to remove the scourge.
In the Country Reports of Human Rights Practices for 2016, which referenced the Human Trafficking Report for 2017, it is stated that the government demonstrated significant efforts during the reporting period by initiating the prosecution of a trafficking case, revising its national action plan, training relevant government personnel, increasing funding for anti-trafficking efforts, and providing some assistance to victims.
“The government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards. Antigua & Barbuda was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3,” the report stated.
However, the report raised concerns and recommenced improving the capacity of investigators and prosecutors to expeditiously process trafficking cases, train law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the relevant legislation.
The 2016 Human Rights Report stated the most serious human rights problems involved poor prison conditions, alleged police brutality, and violence against women.
The prison highlighted dehydration of inmates caused by for high temperatures due to poor ventilation, in addition to poor standards of hygiene, for men.
(More in today’s Daily Observer)