Stringent measures taken by the SAR Government for effective combat of the crime of trafficking in persons
30-07-2015

Trafficking in persons is a severe violation of human rights. Victims, especially women and children, are very often sexually exploited and forced to engage in servitude. Thus it is commonly agreed as a form of modern day slavery.

Being one of the regions which have adopted the “The United Nations Convention against Translational Organized Crime”, “Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children and Child Prostitution and Child Pornography”, etc., the Macao SAR government always highly concerns the trafficking in persons issue so as to fulfill its obligation among international community. By means of setting up the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee (CAMDTP) and the enactment of Law No. 6/2008 “Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons”, the Macao SAR government adopts the international 4P strategies, namely “Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership” to actively prevent and tackle various related illegal activities.

For many years, the CAMDTP has been carrying out extensive work on the prevention and fight against the crime of trafficking in persons, as well as victim protection and establishing cooperative relation with NGOs. Through the active collaboration with police, legal, labor, social work and health departments and community organizations, successful outcome has been seen regarding the prevention and combat of the crime as well as the proper assistance provided to the victims. Since 2008, the SAR government has provided wide range of assistance to 126 victims. Furthermore, promotion materials, TV and radio advertisements have been made in different languages to deliver the anti-trafficking message to Macao citizens, potential victims and visitors. More than 15,000 person times have received related training. Questionnaires are given to potential victims for the purpose of identification of such people at source level. The SAR government also works with the International Organization for Migration which the latter provides repatriation assessment and escort service.

With the synergistic effort by different government departments, judicial authorities and personnel from society, the situation of trafficking in persons is constantly diminishing. Among cases solved by the police, perpetrators were respectively brought to justice and victims were given thorough and necessary financial and personal assistances. Awareness campaigns and trainings continue to spread widely and thus it is able to achieve common understanding and support from citizens, visitors and foreigners who stay in Macao. This is significant evidence which endorses the Macao SAR’s work on the prevention and combat against trafficking in persons.

Today we celebrate the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This is the day everyone in the world acknowledges all sorts of unfairness and exploitation which still exist in this world. International community has to address to the issue in an urgent manner. As a result, the Human Trafficking Deterrent Measures Concern Committee will work together with everyone in Macao and dedicate our effort to prevent and fight against the crime of trafficking in persons.

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