Organization For Responsible Tourism Urges Belize Boycott Citing Human Trafficking Crime
Organization for Responsible Tourism (ORT) today urged all international tourists to boycott travel to Belize until its government adopts the breakthrough human trafficking policies recently announced by the Government of Honduras.
Online, June 7, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Indicating that a new broom sweeps clean, Honduras President Porfirio Lobo last month responded positively to US State Department human trafficking recommendations, including assignment of a 20-prosecutor team to investigate, prosecute and convict human trafficking offenders.
Of particularly interest within the Honduras human trafficking initiative are those offenders involved in child sex trafficking, sexual slavery and sex tourism. Emphasis in seeking convictions was placed on corruption among government officials, from the top of the immigration department to the border crossing level.
"As far as responsible travelers are concerned, Belize is a no-go human trafficking zone, and until such time as they adopt Honduras' commitment and anti-human trafficking vision we are urging tourist to boycott Belize," said Vivian Trill, ORT president.
Last year Belize reported no human trafficking convictions. Noting that Belize is slated to once again report no convictions for 2009, Trill urged all travelers, from hosteling youth to resort guests and cruise line passengers, to shun Belize indefinitely.
ORT promotes traveling for a better world.