Human Trafficking

October 11th, 2006, in News, by Patung

Twelve provinces in Indonesia are thought to have a serious problem with trafficking of women and children.

Nani Tuloli, a parliamentary representative from Gorontalo named the twelve as West Java, East Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, North Sumatera, South Sumatera, Riau, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). He said established syndicates operated in these areas providing for both foreign and local buyers.

Tuloli claimed that the problem has gradually gotten worse. Previously established trafficking networks operated only in West Java and East Java but in recent times they have widened their net.

He named the port of Batam as the main exit or transit point for women and children sold abroad, while South Sulawesi and North Sulawesi were places where those bound for the Philippines exited from. The places worst affected by human trafficking he said were those where there were many night spots and places of entertainment and which had a conveniently located port.

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4 Comments on “Human Trafficking”

  1. Mohammed Khafi Says:
    October 11th, 2006 at 11:39 pm

    Whilst we have no legal framework under the criminal code dealing with human trafficking, it will remain difficult for the police, and judiciary to deal with this matter, assuming of course that they even wished to.

    Unfortunately our politicians are too busy jostling for power, lining their own pockets or pushing their own religious agendas to devote any time to an issue such as this.

    But then it is only the poor people who are having to pay the price isn’t it?

    Does nobody in power feel any shame, or at least some embarrasment about a situation like this?

    Peace

  2. emuh Says:
    October 22nd, 2007 at 8:22 am

    Trafficking in human will not happen if the government of Indonesia provides good welfare security to Indonesian people. Despite the adverse effects of trafficking, some of the “victims” enjoy the trafficking. Even they involve in trafficking voluntarly. Some cases in trafficking in Indramayu will be evidence that not all the victims feel painful.

  3. CLB Says:
    October 23rd, 2007 at 11:06 pm

    In response to the idea that victims ‘enjoy’ being trafficked:

    There is a difference between ‘trafficking’ and ’smuggling’. Defined in the UN Protocol to Prevent, Supress and Punish Trafficking of Persons’, trafficking is carried out ‘by means of threat or use of force, other means of coercion, abduction, fraud, abuse of power, or abuse of a position of vulnerability’. The ultimate end of trafficking is to acheive the consent of a person or have control of a person for the purpose of exploitation. Smuggling, on the other hand, does not involve deception or exploitation.

    Even if trafficking victims do volunteer themselves for jobs, they are often deceived - told they will be a housemaid and then find that they are forced to be prostitutes. Exploitation is the end of trafficking - I therefore find it hard to believe that victims ‘enjoy’ this. Additionally, it is not only women, but also children, and sometimes small babies, who are trafficked. Noone should have their rights taken from them in this manner. Even those who voluntarily agree to be smuggled across borders, without being deceived and exploited, often end up in highly vulnerable positions due to their lack of legal status.

    While trafficking would possibly decrease if social welfare in Indonesia increased, there is also a strong need to raise awareness of the possibility of being trafficked to those most at risk. Trafficking is not just supply driven, but also demand driven. No matter how good social welfare is, as long as there is the demand, there will be traffickers ready to abuse their positions of power. If there is more awareness, it should be harder for traffickers to deceive their victims in order to gain control over them, in order to eventually deprive them of their rights. Hopefully recent legislation will help to ensure that traffickers are punished severely for their actions.

  4. Arianna Says:
    February 29th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

    I am totally against this unacceptable phenomenon and wish that the government should do sth that will contribute to the elimination of this problem. I am participating in MUN (Model United Nations), a conference for teenagers which is involved in serious international problems. My committee is Economic and Social Council and my subject is combating human trafficking in Indonesia. I would be grateful if someone from Indonesia could also inform me about the situation in his/her country and give also his opinion about how this problem could be eliminated and what the UN should do to help. I am looking forward to receive an answer from someone. Thank you a lot

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