16/11/2023

Surinamese Authorities Issue Blue Alert for Missing Pakistanis Amid Suspected Human Trafficking Scenario

BY CMC

The Surinamese authorities have launched a Blue Alert surrounding the disappearance of a group of Pakistanis. Surrounding countries have been asked to look out for the missing individuals, in a scenario that is being treated as a possible case of human trafficking. A Blue Alert is an international code that is applied when information is sought about a suspect. The Blue Alert- Pakistan Edition has been launched due to the increasing illegal cases, the reporting center said.

Police report that the 15 men in question entered the country legally, but did not register at one of the official border posts to leave the country on the day they were supposed to do so. Since then, there has been no trace of them.

It is widely believed that these men left Suriname illegally for Guyana.

“A group of Pakistanis recently travelled to Suriname. However, their residence permit has already expired and the group has not been stamped at the formal border posts. This means that the passport of this group of Pakistanis does not contain a stamp indicating that the group has left Suriname,” said Information Anonymous Reporting Center (MIA).

The MIA Blue Alert Pakistani Edition was launched to locate the men ranging in age from 20 to 40 years. “This worrying trend requires urgent attention from both government agencies and the public,” MIA continued.

Roy Samuels, commander of the Military Police, told local news website Starnieuws that the issue was murky. According to him, this leans towards human trafficking and that is why the international partners have been informed. Samuels emphasises that the group has registered legally in Suriname. “The immigration department has done a good job of screening,” the MP Commander said. However, he finds it strange that the group did not register at the international airport or another official border crossing before leaving Suriname.

The senior officer indicates that in most cases Suriname is used as a hub for, among other things, human trafficking due to its geographical location.

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