ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Southeast Asia region is facing an emergency situation of human trafficking crimes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia recorded 3,428 cases of online scams ensnaring Indonesian citizens since 2021.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said of this number, 40% of them were cases of the Crime of Human Trafficking (TPPO).
“Since 2021, there have been 3,428 online scam cases that have ensnared Indonesian citizens, the majority of which are still concentrated in the Southeast Asia region. This figure continues to increase sharply every year, of which 40% are TIP cases,” he said, at the Hassan Wirajuda Protection of Indonesian Citizens Award event. (HWPA) in Jakarta, quoted Sunday, April 28 2024.
Retno explained that from time to time the number of cases of Indonesian citizens abroad was increasing.
“In 2022, the number will reach 35,149. This number will jump by more than 50% to 53,598 cases in 2023,” he said.
Apart from the number of cases, according to him, world conditions are increasingly characterized by various dynamics, ranging from natural disasters, armed conflicts, to the development of increasingly sophisticated modes of transnational crime.
He explained that throughout 2023, the repatriation of 1,119 Indonesian citizens was successfully carried out from various emergency situations, including from conflict zones and natural disasters, including the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria, as well as the conflict in Sudan and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Palestine.
Apart from that, there are also increasing trends in the region, such as the recruitment of workers, including Indonesians who work in online gambling and online scam companies in Southeast Asia.
According to him, this was the starting point for the exploitation of workers, including from Indonesia, until indications of TIP emerged.
“It is important for us to work together and ensure that our region does not become a safe haven for TIP perpetrators,” he said.
Even so, according to him, the protection of Indonesian citizens is not limited to handling and resolving cases, but must also include aspects of prevention.
He said that the downstream process was carried out in close collaboration with the Center and Indonesian Representatives along with protection personnel in resolving cases, facilitating repatriation, evacuation from conflict areas, as well as facilitating health and psychological services.
“At the same time, we also need to strengthen the upstream process. Among other things, through public education regarding the safe migration process, an effective departure preparation program for prospective Indonesian migrant workers, intensive coordination between Ministries/Institutions and stakeholders at the central and regional levels, as well as collaboration with non-governmental organizations,” he added. (ATN)
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