International workshop on combating human trafficking wraps up in Taipei

2018/07/27

The 2018 International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking wrapped up July 26 in Taipei City, with some 300 local and foreign officials, scholars and nongovernmental organization representatives gathering to discuss the latest law enforcement and prevention measures.
 
 Organized by the Ministry of the Interior, the two-day event comprised panel discussions and speeches on issues spanning forced labor in the fisheries industry and among migrant workers; mechanisms to identify and protect victims and vulnerable populations; practices employed by criminal organizations; penalties for perpetrators; as well as opportunities for strengthening international collaboration.
 
 Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Chen Chien-jen said that Taiwan is a committed partner in this global fight. Since the establishment in 2007 of the Coordination Conference for Human Trafficking Prevention, a platform for dialogue between government departments and commissions, the nation has spared no effort in ending related criminal practices, he added.

 Taiwan’s long-term efforts in these areas have garnered international recognition, the vice president said, noting that in the most recent Trafficking in Persons Report released June 28 by the U.S. Department of State, the nation was awarded Tier 1 status for the ninth consecutive year.
 
 Eliminating human trafficking requires close international collaboration, Chen said. To this end, Taiwan has reached agreements on immigration affairs and related prevention measures with 17 countries, and is determined to further expand cooperation with like-minded nations and NGOs, he added.
 
 According to Chen, Taiwan will continue to staunchly defend the universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law. He called on the global community to recognize Taiwan’s long-standing efforts in human trafficking prevention and support its greater international participation so that the country can more effectively contribute to development and security around the world.
 
 Participants in the 11th edition of the annual workshop include representatives from the American Institute in Taiwan, Belgium’s Payoke shelter for human trafficking victims, Freedom Network USA, Geneva-based Global Migration Policy Associates, Indonesia’s National Anti-Narcotics Agency, Justice Centre Hong Kong, London’s Metropolitan Police Service, the University of Auckland and the University of the Philippines, according to the MOI.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=10&post=138675)