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| Two suspects linked to a human trafficking ring that smuggled Indonesians into Myanmar are questioned at a police crime investigation unit in Jakarta on May 16. (Photo: Joanito De Saojoao) |
According to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, the bloc is not sitting idly by, but needs to take stronger measures to prevent this situation.
In 2015, ASEAN leaders signed a legally binding convention against trafficking in persons, particularly women and children. The bloc's recent summit in Labuan Bajo concluded with a statement from the leaders on combating human trafficking, especially issues related to the misuse of technology.
Kao Kim Hourn assessed that these documents show ASEAN leaders are deeply concerned about human trafficking.
Emphasizing the need for ASEAN to address human trafficking as part of transnational crime, the ASEAN Secretary-General affirmed the necessity of a regional perspective to address this issue more collectively and effectively.
The joint statement at Labuan Bajo stated that ASEAN needs concrete action to identify and address gaps in the system and improve the legal framework related to human trafficking crimes.
According to Kao Kim Hourn, "it is crucial for law enforcement to have a suitable legal framework... In the future, they will work together in sharing information… as well as best practices and knowledge on how to actually address this issue across ASEAN."
Indonesia, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship in 2023, has proposed several initiatives to combat human trafficking in the region.
Southeast Asia's most populous nation is also witnessing many of its citizens being trafficked to other countries in the region, such as Myanmar. The perpetrators lure victims with promises of high-paying jobs and then force them to work as online scammers.
Not long ago, Indonesian police arrested two suspects, Andri Satria Nugraha and Anita Setia Dewi, in connection with a trafficking ring that smuggled 20 Indonesians to Myanmar. These two individuals lured 16 victims, and police are currently searching for other trafficking networks that may be involved in the case.
Police are collaborating with the anti-money laundering agency PPATK to track financial transactions in the hope of uncovering illegal activities; a task force has been established to combat this problem.
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