Not enough bite in enforcement, says US envoy
Andrew OngPublished: Jun 17, 2009 7:58 AM | Updated: Jun 17, 2009 8:39 AM
Malaysia has comprehensive laws to deal with human trafficking but proper enforcement and successfully securing convictions is urgently needed, said United States ambassador to Malaysia James R Keith.
Malaysia has comprehensive laws to deal with human trafficking but proper enforcement and successfully securing convictions is urgently needed, said United States ambassador to Malaysia James R Keith.
"That is the bottom line for us. The way you deter these crimes is getting convictions and putting traffickers in jail. That makes people realise that the government is serious," he said.
This was among his recommendations for Malaysia, in view of the latest US State Department report which blacklisted Malaysia for failing to comply with international standards
to stamp out human trafficking.
The annual ‘Trafficking in Persons Report 2009' released last night examined efforts in more than 173 countries to combat trafficking for forced labour, prostitution, military service and other purposes.
Among the 17 countries blacklisted, dubbed ‘Tier 3', are Zimbabwe, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Other than Malaysia, four other Asian nations made it to the list - Burma, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and North Korea.
Blacklisted countries run the risk of being sanctioned from US aid.
'Burmese refugees'
Keith, who is currently overseas, was speaking to several reporters during a tele-conference session at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today.
He emphasised that the reporting period - April 2008 to March 2009 - was during the previous administration and that the US was keen on supporting Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in combating human trafficking.
An area of particular concern, according to Keith, is Malaysia’s handling of Burmese refugees and reactions to a damning US Senate Foreign Relations Committee report in April which alleged the involvement of Immigration Department officials in trafficking Burmese.
The report in April alleged that these officials sold refugees for about US$200 (RM700) per person to traffickers operating along Thailand’s southern border.
Although previously, the prime minister and inspector-general of police publicly stated their commitment to act on the report, Keith however lamented that recent comments have been “less clear about vigorous investigation of those report”.
“My own trip to the Malaysia-Thailand border was less than confidence inspiring. It didn’t seem that there was the kind of scrutiny necessary to deter trafficking at the border,” said Keith.
When pointed out that the Immigration Department had denied the allegations, Keith said refugees who have since moved to the US had bore witness to such crimes.
'National Action Plan' needed
Nevertheless, Keith commended the Women, Family and Social Development Ministry for its effort in addressing the trafficking of women into the flesh trade.
He lauded the ministry for its involvement in raids on vice-dens and establishment of shelter homes for trafficking victims, adding that he had the opportunity to visit one such shelter.
“It was a very tough, emotional and heart rending experience to see what these victims were going through,” said Keith.
Overall, Keith said human trafficking was a complicated multi-dimensional problem and recommended what he called a ‘National Action Plan’ which involves both the civil society and the international community.
He said a lot of countries having problems with human trafficking, made “rapid progress” after implementing the plan.
Keith also urged the Malaysian government to ratify international treaties related to human trafficking.
On possible sanctions, Keith was unable to provide examples of past action taken on countries which have consistently been blacklisted.
However, he said that the US’s aim was not to impose sanctions but to promote prosecution and conviction of traffickers.
Malaysia section of the 'Trafficking in Persons Report 2009'
Related reports
Malaysia blacklisted for human trafficking
No visible measures taken by gov't
M'sia, 6 African nations join 'modern slavery' list
Country pays for 'arrogance'
"That is the bottom line for us. The way you deter these crimes is getting convictions and putting traffickers in jail. That makes people realise that the government is serious," he said.This was among his recommendations for Malaysia, in view of the latest US State Department report which blacklisted Malaysia for failing to comply with international standards
to stamp out human trafficking.
The annual ‘Trafficking in Persons Report 2009' released last night examined efforts in more than 173 countries to combat trafficking for forced labour, prostitution, military service and other purposes.
Among the 17 countries blacklisted, dubbed ‘Tier 3', are Zimbabwe, Sudan and Saudi Arabia. Other than Malaysia, four other Asian nations made it to the list - Burma, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and North Korea.
Blacklisted countries run the risk of being sanctioned from US aid.
'Burmese refugees'
Keith, who is currently overseas, was speaking to several reporters during a tele-conference session at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today.
He emphasised that the reporting period - April 2008 to March 2009 - was during the previous administration and that the US was keen on supporting Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in combating human trafficking. An area of particular concern, according to Keith, is Malaysia’s handling of Burmese refugees and reactions to a damning US Senate Foreign Relations Committee report in April which alleged the involvement of Immigration Department officials in trafficking Burmese.
The report in April alleged that these officials sold refugees for about US$200 (RM700) per person to traffickers operating along Thailand’s southern border.
Although previously, the prime minister and inspector-general of police publicly stated their commitment to act on the report, Keith however lamented that recent comments have been “less clear about vigorous investigation of those report”.
“My own trip to the Malaysia-Thailand border was less than confidence inspiring. It didn’t seem that there was the kind of scrutiny necessary to deter trafficking at the border,” said Keith.
When pointed out that the Immigration Department had denied the allegations, Keith said refugees who have since moved to the US had bore witness to such crimes.
'National Action Plan' needed
Nevertheless, Keith commended the Women, Family and Social Development Ministry for its effort in addressing the trafficking of women into the flesh trade.
He lauded the ministry for its involvement in raids on vice-dens and establishment of shelter homes for trafficking victims, adding that he had the opportunity to visit one such shelter.
“It was a very tough, emotional and heart rending experience to see what these victims were going through,” said Keith.
Overall, Keith said human trafficking was a complicated multi-dimensional problem and recommended what he called a ‘National Action Plan’ which involves both the civil society and the international community.
He said a lot of countries having problems with human trafficking, made “rapid progress” after implementing the plan.
Keith also urged the Malaysian government to ratify international treaties related to human trafficking.
On possible sanctions, Keith was unable to provide examples of past action taken on countries which have consistently been blacklisted.
However, he said that the US’s aim was not to impose sanctions but to promote prosecution and conviction of traffickers.
Malaysia section of the 'Trafficking in Persons Report 2009'
Related reports
Malaysia blacklisted for human trafficking
No visible measures taken by gov't
M'sia, 6 African nations join 'modern slavery' list
Country pays for 'arrogance'
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