Taiwan keeps US Tier 1 anti-human trafficking status for 12th consecutive year

2021/07/05

Taiwan retained Tier 1 status for the 12th consecutive year in the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report released July 1 by the U.S. Department of State.
 
Of the 28 Tier 1 countries, Taiwan is one of five in the Asia-Pacific alongside Australia, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea. Japan, Hong Kong and China are listed as Tier 2, Tier 2 Watch List and Tier 3, respectively.
 
Taiwan fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, the report said, adding that during the assessment period, the government investigated an increased number of violators and sentenced them to significant prison terms.
 
Various government undertakings aimed at strengthening protections and preventing trafficking were spotlighted in the report. These include improving victim identification protocols and labor inspection resources in the maritime industries, as well as funding civil society organizations to provide assistance and support services.
 
The Ministry of the Interior said the ranking is recognition of government efforts in safeguarding the rights of all individuals despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. No stone will be left unturned in ending this global scourge in keeping with Taiwan’s standing as an internationally celebrated beacon of freedom, democracy and human rights, the MOI added.
 
Recent measures expected to help resolve related issues in the country’s maritime industries encompass actions plans centered on strengthening law enforcement and victim protection, as well as cracking down on forced labor. The MOI proposed the former in December 2020, and the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture the latter two months before.
 
Regarding report recommendations pertaining to the deep-sea fishing industry and recruitment of overseas workers, the MOI said remedial measures are in place and will be monitored by relevant agencies.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “#Taiwan is a Tier 1 country for 12 years running as per @StateDept’s 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report. Its “serious & sustained efforts” are helping achieve @SecBlinken’s goals of “combating human trafficking & creating a more fair, equitable world.””


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)