This afternoon Belize officially became a member of the Latin American Network of Missing Persons. Through this program Belize will be able to place the pictures and information of persons, children in particular, on the web. The effort is part of regional initiatives to combat trafficking in persons and the exploitation of children. Prime Minister Said Musa along with Per Tamm, the regional representative of Save the Children Sweden were signatories to the initiative. Here's more.

Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"As a part of the community of the Americas, including Latin America and the Caribbean, and as a part of the global community, we must keep ourselves up to par in tackling the major challenges confronting our 21st century world. Among these many challenges are the issues of human trafficking, commercial sexual workers, and other exploitation of minors, and other forms of modern day enslavement. We are therefore very pleased that through the efforts of our anti-trafficking in persons committee, and Ambassador Lisa Shoman in Washington, we have reached the point where Belize can become a member of the Latin American network of missing persons.

Even though modern technology is being used to perpetuate evil acts of exploitation, such as the transmission of pornographic images of children, it is this same modern technology, that of the use of the internet, which allows our officials across borders in our region, to have another tool in combating these evil acts. Belize must take full advantage of such a facility and I am therefore pleased as head of this government, that personnel of our various ministries have been and will continue to be trained in administering this system.

It is therefore incumbent on us to take preventative action to ensure that we do not become a haven for those who are intent on exploiting others. We must also do our part in ensuring the safety of all the citizens of this region by becoming a strong link in the chain of response of missing persons."

Per Hamm,
"When a program is introduced in a country, this entails training of the policemen and women who will manage the system and its confidential parts. There is also provision for which anybody has access in order to both announce cases of disappearance but also to track disappeared individuals. The collaboration of the general public is essential. However the efficiency of the system depends of course on the commitment of the activities that will manage it and this has been impeccable in Belize."

There are currently thirteen thousand cases on the website that seek information from 8 countries including Belize.

Sadly the article did not provide a link to any website.