Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Dinna Wisnu said it was important to view human trafficking from the perspective of the people who are at risk of being vulnerable to falling victim to traffickers.
A human rights-based approach is crucial in the prevention of human trafficking, protection of victims, as well as the elimination of trafficking in persons across the region, a human rights commissioner said on Thursday.
Indonesian representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Dinna Wisnu said it was important to view human trafficking from the perspective of the people who are at risk of being vulnerable to falling victim to traffickers.
“We need to recognize exactly what makes them vulnerable to exploitation either from the authorities, from the benefiting business groups, or the family circle of people who should actually be protecting them,” Dinna told reporters at a press briefing on the sidelines of the AICHR-SOM Transnational Crimes (TC) Consultation on Thursday.
The two-day event in Jakarta seeks to develop a human-rights based approach in the implementation of the ASEAN Convention and Plan of Action against Trafficking In Persons (TIP).
“We see the modus operandi becoming even more complex,” Dinna said.
Victims have expanded beyond the socio-economically vulnerable group by also targeting the highly educated. Perpetrators would lure people on the pretense of providing scholarships and work experience, she cited from several examples.
Six non-governmental organizations, which hold consultative status to AICHR and oversee relevant areas related to the issue, have been invited to the forum in an effort to design a comprehensive approach, she said.
Adopted by ASEAN at the end of 2015, only Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand have ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. (rin)