The Macao Special Administrative Region deplores the Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State
20-07-2022

Regarding the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report (hereinafter referred as the report) by the U.S. Department of State, which ranked the Macao Special Administrative Region as Tier 3, the Office of the Secretary for Security considers it unacceptable and solemnly responds as the following:

The Macao SAR 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 internationally recognized 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 so that outstanding achievement has been accomplished. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe social and economic disruptions to Macao since 2020, it has never deterred the comprehensive prevention, protection and follow-up measures. As a result, human trafficking crime rate has been remaining at low incidence or zero record.

Sadly, the U.S. report repeatedly disregards objective facts. Even though perennial representations have been made, the U.S. Government constantly fails to comprehend Macao’s legislation and independent judicial system while the report, plagued with ignorance and prejudice, deliberately distorts Macao’s effort in fulfilling its necessary law enforcement and judicial duties with reckless presumptions. The Macao SAR Government expresses its profound regret and rage. This year, without any comprehensive and accurate understanding of Macao’s situation, the U.S. Government once again makes its groundless accusations through subjective speculations and biased interpretations and attempts to mislead international society’s perception so as to obliterate the government’s effort and achievement. The security authority vehemently rejects it.

Together with all stakeholders, the Macao SAR Government will continuously and determinedly fight against human trafficking 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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