Malaysia will be hosting a Bali Process Workshop On Protection For Victims of Trafficking In Persons. The workshop which is co-hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia and the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) will be officiated by Y.B. Dato’ Lee Chee Leong, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. The workshop will be attended by 100 participants from 32 Bali Process member countries.
Bali Process is a regional grouping established in 2002 to deal with issues of irregular movement of people and other related areas of transnational crime including trafficking in persons. Australia and Indonesia is the permanent co-chairs of Bali Proces which comprises of 44 member countries including international organisations namely International Organization for Migration (IOM) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Bali Process is a significant grouping in the Asia Pacific Region that creates a working foundation for countries of origin, transit and destination to work in unison in addressing the issues of irregular movement that is closely related with transnational crime. Countries in the Asia Pacific region are currently facing the most daunting challenge to address trafficking in persons since incidences of forced labour as well as sex trafficking is higher in this region than anywhere else in the world based on the findings of the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC).
The two days workshop would focus on the aspect of victims of trafficking particularly on the elements of protection, care and recovery. Although the ultimate aim is to ensure that human traffickers should be brought to justice, it is equally important that victims of this heinous crime are afforded protection and neccessary support.
The holding of this workshop in Kuala Lumpur reflects Malaysia’s serious concern on the aspect of victims’ protection particularly to emulate international best practices concerning this matter. Additionally, it is in line with one of the five guiding principles espoused in the National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2010-2015) that is to accord basic human rights treatment to all victims of trafficking regardless of gender, age and religion.
Simultaneously, Y.B. Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Home Affairs announces major policy decision that allows for victims’ of trafficking for labour exploitation cases in shelter homes to take up employment in Malaysia once they are released. Nevertheless, certain conditions are imposed namely prior consent of the victims’, approval from their diplomatic missions, confirmation that their safety are not guaranteed if return to their country of origin and they have entered the country legally. According to the current procedure, once released from shelter homes, the victims would be returned to their country of origin
This announcement strongly reflects Malaysia’s commitment and continuous progress towards the betterment of victims’ protection in the country. In the meantime, Malaysia would study the possibility for victims’ of trafficking to be allowed to work while under the Protection Order. At present, victims of trafficking are doing temporary jobs in the shelter homes. Malaysia is giving strong emphasis to victims’ protection and rehabilitation since it is one of the crucial elements in the global effort to combat trafficking in persons and would lend credence in ensuring high percentage of prosecution for trafficking in persons cases.
International Divison
Ministry of Home Affairs
12 January 2012
13 January 2012
KDN Sana Sini