Friday, April 2, 2010

Malaysia Launches National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin said the government wanted to launch the Five-Year National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan to show the international community of Malaysia's determination to combat human trafficking activities and to eliminate Malaysia's negative image as a transit point for international human trafficking activities.

Curbing Human Trafficking Activities
He said that a cross ministerial National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council led by the Home Affairs Ministry has been formed to carry out a five-year action plan to curb human trafficking activities in the country. This National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council and the five-year antihuman trafficking action plan were launched on 31 March to seriously combat and eliminate all kinds of human trafficking activities in Malaysia.

Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin also disclosed that when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib visits the United States in April, Najib would also meet with the relevant authority in the US Government in Washington, DC to discuss how Malaysia could help to curb this global human trafficking problem. Hishammuddin said that Malaysia would use all available resources to prevent trafficking in persons activities to happen in the region.

Nine Strategic Goals
The national action plan against human trafficking includes nine strategic goals and nine implementation plan, and a comprehensive summary of all areas of combat operations against trafficking in persons. The government will periodically review the plan from time to time to ensure that all officials tasked with the jobs can effectively perform their duties.

The National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan includes the following nine strategic objectives:
1. To strengthen laws to enhance the power of the anti-human trafficking enforcement authority.
2. To implement coordination and cooperation of the various law enforcement agencies.
3. To raise public awareness on trafficking in persons activities through education programs.
4. To work with non-governmental organizations and provide victims with protection complied with international standards.
5. To combat foreign labor trafficking activities.
6. To provide training for government officials who participate in the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2007.

7. To enhance anti-trafficking information management in government departments.
8. To establish local and international anti-trafficking in persons partnerships.
9. To strengthen law enforcement on trafficking in persons.

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