[1] In 2008 Suriname was principally a destination and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.
The government sustained a moderate level of law enforcement action against trafficking crimes, and modestly improved victim assistance and prevention efforts.
During the reporting period, the government convicted a defendant charged with trafficking Brazilian women into prostitution, and sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison.
A trial against four brothel owners charged with trafficking women from the Dominican Republic for sexual exploitation continued.
Police and prosecutors relied chiefly on civil society partners, particularly a recently established NGO, the Trafficking-in-Persons Foundation, to shelter and assist victims.
The government assisted these NGOs with finding safe houses to shelter victims, and worked closely with consular representatives from other countries on repatriation efforts.
The government’s anti-trafficking in persons working group is finalizing draft legislation to provide trafficking victims with temporary residency status.
Suriname continued discussions with governments in neighboring Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil on modalities for repatriating trafficking victims.