New Australia-Indonesia Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking

Australia is strengthening its commitment to combating human trafficking in the region through a new partnership with Indonesia to be launched today in Jakarta.

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said the five-year, AUD $21 million (more than Rp 160 billion) regional initiative would work through Indonesia’s criminal justice system to enhance efforts to prevent human trafficking in the region.

“This project will provide technical advice and assistance to judges, legislators and human trafficking police task-forces in Indonesia,” Mr Farmer said.

The Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons (ARTIP) project was launched in August 2006, initially as a partnership with Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma. Today, Indonesia joins the initiative to assist regional countries to target and prosecute those who support or carry out the trade in people.

The project focuses on strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the judiciary to deal effectively with trafficking, while protecting the rights of victims. It seeks to strengthen cooperation between countries on trafficking cases across national borders, and promotes the development of common standards between countries by working closely with regional bodies dealing with trafficking, including the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime.

“Without committed police, prosecutors and judiciary it will never be possible to combat the traffickers or to seek justice for the victims of this terrible crime,” Mr Farmer said.

Commissioner General Bambang Hendarso, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Indonesia National Police, will officiate at today’s launch at the Transnational Crime Centre in Jakarta, along with AusAID Deputy Representative Andrew Collins.

They will be accompanied by dignitaries and officials from the Indonesia National Police and the Ministries of Justice, Women’s Empowerment, Immigration and Foreign Affairs.

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Mia Salim – Senior Public Affairs Officer – 0812 107 0237