Macau Daily News - Legal Instruction
Human Trafficker Groups

No. 465 - 2008.07.06 News

According to news reports, human trafficking crimes are rampant. Traffickers tend to operate as a group. They name themselves as “an organization” or “a group” to carry out human trafficking activities. These “groups” have very detailed division of labor. The members in the rural areas are responsible to coax and carry off the potential sellers and buy in children at “a low price”. Then they will sell the children to the middle men in the cities. From the cities, the children are transferred to other countries or areas and sold at high price to the buyers.

These “groups” are not necessarily legitimate groups. They are not established according to the law. They do not have a name list of their members or an office for the group. However, under the Law of “Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons”, shall there be any group or organization who commits the crime of trafficking under its own name or benefit, even the group or organization is not legally founded and without legal personality (legally being able to enjoy rights and to take the responsibility for all it qualifies), it shall subject to the criminal responsibility of the crime. The court shall adjust the penalty and condemn the organization to dismissal.

Penalty is counted by days of up to 1000 days. The daily fine ranges from MOP 100 to MOP 20,000. To a crime of trafficking committed by an organization, counted at the maximum limit of 1000 days and a daily fine of MOP 20,000, the highest penalty is MOP 20 million. Aside from the punishment mentioned, the court can also condemn accessory punishment to the organization, for instance permanent closure of the site of the organization and the publishing of all the guilty verdicts etc.

People believe that trafficking would not happen in more affluent areas such as Hong Kong and Macao. Unfortunately this is not the case. Human trafficking is a transnational activity and does not orient to poor or rich nations. In August 2006, the U.S. broke a prostitution group. Its members in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and other South East Asian countries traded women from these regions into the U.S for prostitution. The victims were transferred in a big container to keep them away from the examination of the police. Within 10 days after they arrived in the U.S., they were sold to sex facilities in other cities for sex business.

Even though Macao is a safe city, it might still be used as one of the “business” sites by the trafficker groups. Under the prerequisite of self protection, every Macao resident must be alert and pay attention to overseas employment. Before you set off, check the company name, the name, address and contact number of your employer. Make sure the company is a legal entity. If you are requested to sign a contract, read and understand the content of the agreement thoroughly to prevent falling into the trap of trafficker groups.

Note: With reference to Article 5, Law of Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons.

(Source by DSAJ)

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