Jornal do Cidadão - Talk about Macao Law
Human Trafficking Disguises as Illegal Adoption

2008.11.02 News

Previously we mentioned about the official publishing of Law No. 6/2008 “Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons” by the SAR government in June. We also introduced some conditions and penalties of trafficking crimes. Today, we will continue with the same topic by paying special attention to illegal adoption.

Illegal Adoption
In recent years, to dodge the law, illegal parties use “adoption” as a disguise of trafficking children. To combat illegal adoption, whoever, through offering or receiving benefits, gets or alienates minor for the purpose of adoption; or obtains or gives consent for the adoption of minor, shall be subjected to a penalty of up to 5 years of imprisonment.

Protection Measures to the Victims
Victim of trafficking are often sold to places far away from their home country or region. They might not even know the local language of the place where they were sold to. They are under traffickers’ threats and hence dare not to inform the police. Therefore, the SAR government has established a protection scheme for the victims, for instance, to assure victims of temporary shelter and physical security as well as to provide necessary and adequate psychological, medical, social, economical and legal assistance.

To guarantee the identity protection of victims, media and the press shall not disclose victims’ identity by any means before or after the hearing. The legal proceedings of human trafficking (hearing in particular) shall not be opened to the public.

Moreover, victims enjoy the rights of obtaining legal consultation and judicial assistance, claiming for civil indemnification, obtaining gratuitous psychological, medical and medication assistance, as well as linguistic support. If victims come from other countries, Macao SAR Government shall immediately inform the foreign affair authority of their country of origin about the case. Victims are allowed to temporarily stay in Macao SAR during the legal proceedings. The SAR government shall provide necessary legal assistance to the victims.

If you see any suspicious case of human trafficking, report it to the police immediately by dialling the 24-hour Report Hotline: 2888 9911; or Helpline: 2888 9922.

Note: with reference to Article 2, 6 & 7 of Law of Combat the Crime of Trafficking in Persons.

(Source by DSAJ)

Back>