Deputy Speaker of the NTT Regional Legislatives Council (DPRD) Nelson Obet Matara said here on Saturday that he welcomed the workshops involving Australia`s Immigration and Citizenship Department, Federal Police and Defense Department organized by the Australian government.
"We appreciate the holding of the workshops and hope that there will be a solution to the humanitarian problem, because it concerns the commitment to implementing cooperation in dealing with people smuggling and human trafficking," he said.
The Border Enforcement Workshops coordinated by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service were held in Thailand and Indonesia on 28 July 2011, the Australian embassy said in a press statement in Jakarta on Friday (July 29).
Customs and Border Protection Regional Director, Peter White, said the workshops have been initiated to target the illegal use of legitimate border crossings by people smugglers in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Additional workshops are planned in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in 2011.
"Maritime people smuggling is a regional issue that requires a regional response," White said adding that the clear message to people smugglers is that regional nations are working together to target organized criminals who undertake people smuggling activities.
"This activity is designed to prevent people smuggling activity and reinforce the close cooperation and successes between all governments in the region. The workshops focus on the exchange of maritime people smuggling intelligence and enhancing border management skills among regulatory and law enforcement agencies," he stated.
A number of Indonesian and Thai government agencies were involved in these people smuggling workshops delivered in Pattaya, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia and follow a successful workshop in Bali, Indonesia earlier this week. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
