Response to the Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State
02-07-2021

The U.S. Department of State released the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report ("the report") and ranked Macao at Tier 2 Watch List. The Office of the Secretary for Security finds it extremely unreasonable and unacceptable. The office solemnly responds as the following:

The Macao Special Administrative Region Government has been relentlessly fighting human trafficking crimes. The government fully supports the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee to follow the Law No. 6/2008 and common international strategies to coordinate government bureaus and community stakeholders to implement human trafficking prevention and victim protection measures. The government consistently evaluates and follows up on the progress of the aforementioned measures so that enhancement of related policies can be made in time. Meanwhile, law enforcement has been effectively carried out under the supervision of the judicial authorities. As a result, human trafficking crime rate has remained at low incidence or zero record. It is the positive outcome of the joint effort by the government and all walks of life.

This year, the U.S. report once again disregarded objective facts. With its ignorance and bias about Macao’s legislation and independent judicial system, the report deliberately distorted Macao’s continuous achievement while its narratives filled with biased interpretations, reckless and unsubstantiated speculations which attempted to mislead international society’s perception so as to obliterate the government’s perennial effort. The security authority does not agree with the report and vehemently rejects it.

Combating human trafficking crimes has long been a common understanding in international society. The Macao SAR Government has set up corresponding laws and coordinating mechanism so as to collaborate with members of society to prevent relevant crimes. The government has always been determined to prevent related illegal activities in order to protect the safety and legitimate rights of local residents and visitors. Under the supervision of the judicial authorities, the security authority will continue to follow their instructions to execute law enforcement. By means of enhancing international and regional co-operation to explore preventive and combat tactics, it is possible to jointly eliminate human trafficking and all forms of exploitation.

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