Macao SAR Government responds to the Human Trafficking Report by the U.S. Department of State
01-07-2016

The US State Department released the 2016 Human Trafficking Report (hereinafter referred to as “the Report”) and continued to rank Macao Tier 2. The Macao SAR Government responds to such ranking and its relevant narrative as the following:

The Macao SAR Government has always been dedicated to prevent and combat all kinds of illegal activities related to human trafficking. By means of setting up the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”) and enacting the Law 6/2008 (Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons), the government has been following international standards to launch its preventive and combat measures in proactive and practical manners. Meanwhile, different intergovernmental working groups of the Committee have done great deal of work for the purpose of executing relevant prevention, combat and victim protection, as well as establishing smooth partnership between local NGOs. Through the continuous effort between government departments and private sector stake holders, significant outcome has been achieved and every year it is reported objectively.

There are serious misinterpretations, inaccurate accusations and even unreasonable speculations in the narrative of the Report regarding the situation of Macao. It must be reiterated that the Macao SAR Government has been collaborating with organizations and industries for years and having been carrying out measures to reinforce the legal infrastructure, law enforcement, promotion campaign, education and support. Purpose of which is to enhance awareness of prevention of the crime of human trafficking among the Macao population and different ethnic groups. It is also the government’s objective to protect the legitimate rights of local and foreign employees as well as preserving the integrity of all civil workers and thus to proactively avoid human trafficking and labour exploitation. Therefore, it should be understood that the continuous low police registration or even zero case situation is a positive outcome as a result of the holistic effort. The Macao SAR Government does not agree with any accusation regarding the decrease of law enforcement, labour exploitation, child sex tourism or government officials complicity which have been made without any substantive evidence.

The Macao SAR Government does not tolerate any illegal activity related to human trafficking or any form of exploitation. Besides rigorous and relentless law enforcement, the government will constantly furnish the legal framework so as to bring awareness to people and maintain a clean government. Furthermore, the government will also continue its dedication, by means of collaboration and intelligence sharing with neighbor regions, to prevent and combat all kinds of illegal activities related to human trafficking.

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