‘Further victimisation’: US urges softer tack towards Asian nationals tricked into becoming scammers
- An annual human trafficking report by the US urges governments to protect survivors of trafficking from ‘inappropriate punishment and further victimisation’
- Consequences of punishing these victims undermines larger anti-trafficking efforts as fear of punishment sways victims from seeking help
The annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) – released on Thursday by the US State Department – urged governments to provide survivors of trafficking protection from “inappropriate punishment and further victimisation”.
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Some of those who make it out – often by paying thousands of dollars in release fees – have recounted stories of prolonged detention for crossing borders illegally and then prosecution for being involved in the scam trade.
“These individuals are often held liable and face various forms of punishment including fines, detention, prosecution, conviction, and deportation,” the report said.
But the consequences of punishing these victims undermines larger anti-trafficking efforts as fear of punishment sways victims from seeking protection and help, the report added.
The issue is complicated as Asian authorities battle a scourge that is sweeping up hundreds of millions of dollars from its victims.
The TIP report has a four-tiered system based on governmental efforts to meet the US’ standards for elimination of human trafficking stated in the country’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
The report indicated that Malaysia made key achievements in the past year by initiating more trafficking investigations, prosecuting and convicting more traffickers, and persecuting complicit officials.
However, more work is required in prosecuting labour traffickers in the country’s palm oil sector and glove manufacturing industry.
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The report also said that efforts to prosecute trafficking cases involving complicit officials and forced labour crimes have to intensify, and in expanding protection for domestic workers.
In a speech marking the release of the report, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the importance of collaboration among governments, NGOs, civil society, and private industries, including tech, to combat sex and labour trafficking.
“The United States is committed to combating human trafficking, because it represents an attack on human rights and freedoms.
“It violates the universal right of every person to have autonomy. Today, more than 27 million people around the world are denied that right,” he said.