Illustrative photo: (Photo: Humanium)Labuan Bajo (VNA) – ASEAN leaders on May 11 approved a declaration on combatingtrafficking in persons (TIP) caused by the abuse of technology, at the ongoing ASEANSummit 32 in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.
The declarationreiterates the need to promote a cohesive and immediate ASEAN response inaddressing current and future threats arising from the abuse of technology andtake full advantage of new and evolving technologies to enhance this effort.
The leaders agreedto strengthen cooperation and coordination against the evil through various regional mechanisms and ASEAN initiatives; usingtechnology tools; sharing best practices and lessons learned; exchanginginformation; conducting joint coordinated exercises and operations; as well asjoint investigations related to TIP.
Under the declaration,the leaders agreed to strengthen regional efforts to identify trafficked orpotential victims; promote the effective implementation of the existing ASEANinstruments related to TIP, such as the ACTIP, to maintain their relevance andadaptability in the context of emerging and future challenges; and encouragesetting a minimum standard of protection at the regional level for a victim ofTIP.
The leaders also agreed to strengthencooperation in the field of border management, prevention, investigation, lawenforcement, prosecution, protection, repatriation, and support such asrehabilitation and reintegration of victims; and improve national preventionefforts, including enhancing public awareness campaigns and labour inspectionsystems, enhancing cross-border control and migration management, andstrengthening the use of advanced technology.
They agreed toprovide immediate response and assistance to victims of TIP, including byimproving channels of coordination and communication on information exchange,improving access to legal assistance, remedy, and grievance, and collaboratingwith law enforcement networks in the region. Moreover, ASEAN countries willenhance mutual legal assistance in TIP cases, including those caused by abuseof technology, through the effective implementation of the ASEAN Treaty onMutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (AMLAT)./.
