Because, so far, the problem (in eradicating transnational crimes) is when the perpetrators flee abroad, we (law enforcement institutions) often need to go through difficult bureaucracies (to arrest the perpetrators).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Police (Polri) Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo highlighted the human trafficking issue at the 23rd ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

He said that the discussion regarding the issue was in line with the commitment to eradicating human trafficking made by the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the 42nd ASEAN Summit last month.

"Human trafficking cases have become an international concern. It is one of the serious matters discussed in the SOMTC," he added.

The Polri chief said he expects the results of the discussion on the issue during the meeting to produce a policy that can protect Indonesian people from falling victim to human trafficking in the future.

He emphasized that international cooperation for eradicating the crime should not only concern exchanging information, but also improving law enforcement collaboration to arrest perpetrators.

Better cooperation could also help save the victims and return them to their country of origin, he added.

Prabowo also appealed to people who wish to work abroad to get employment through an official and registered Indonesian migrant worker placement company.

He also ordered his ranks to take firm action against anyone involved in human trafficking, even if the perpetrator is a police officer.

Indonesia is leading the 23rd SOMTC, which is being held in Yogyakarta from June 20–24, 2023, as part of its chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

SOMTC is an institutional framework assisting the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) to initiate, coordinate, and implement strategies and programs for preventing and combating transnational crimes.

"It is an important meeting for Polri, especially to talk more seriously about some issues which we have been discussing so far," the Polri chief stated.

In the previous year, SOMTC meetings were held virtually due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Thus, Prabowo said he expects that the attendance of the delegates in person to discuss various transnational crime-related issues at SOMTC this year would help generate concrete cooperation, especially regarding law enforcement.

"Because, so far, the problem (in eradicating transnational crimes) is when the perpetrators flee abroad, we (law enforcement institutions) often need to go through difficult bureaucracies (to arrest the perpetrators),” he added.

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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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