FEALAC meets to tackle human trafficking syndicates, recover victims and provide legal assistance

FEALAC develops further in creating protection for human trafficking syndicates, and cracking down of syndicates 

The Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) met to combat the issue of human trafficking across the different states. Currently, the issue prevails in many countries, with huge percentages of these victims being children – 20% globally, and up to 100% in West Africa. In Laos, while human trafficking does exist, governmental efforts are in effect to combat these, especially in prevention and recovery mechanisms. However, further action still has to be taken, as seen through the many initiatives and efforts by the Laotian government’s effort in eradicating the human trafficking scene and industry in the nation.

The council was able to develop and align its views together, initiating a new framework named “PPP”, representing “Prevent, Protect, Prosecute”. This framework emphasises the acts that the nations and framework will take for the people who are either victims or potential victims of human trafficking. 

The PPP framework works through 3 phases. 

The first step, prevention of human trafficking, works through holding potential victims back from the sources of human trafficking by monitoring borders, potential human trafficking rings and other similar bodies or sources of human trafficking syndicates. This not only provides the citizens to be more aware of the potential sources and avenues of human trafficking, but also enables the opportunity for any last-minute intervention for saving them. 

Next, the second step protects these victims. After the extraction and evacuation of the victims of human trafficking, countries will provide care packages and rehabilitations for the wellbeing of rescued victims. By obtaining funds from the FEALAC’s Fund and contributions from nations such as Brazil, China and Cuba, adequate support and counselling is expected and catered for these victims. At the same time, victims would also be able to obtain training and workshops to upskill them for job searching in the near future. Temporary shelters, for ensuring victims are in a safe space, would also be provided for 150 days, where they would receive their rehabilitation and upskilling training. 

Lastly, prosecution would take place through an extensive list of trained lawyers that follow guidelines that are updated with the flow of time. Through a training and education scheme, it would ensure FEALAC that there would not be a lack of lawyers for representation. This creates a safe and sustainable stream of educated lawyers to provide legal services. These will be funded through funding provided from the various regional sources. Funding from the ASEAN Treasury and FEALAC Treasury would provide funding for both the training and salaries of lawyers, enabling this to run smoothly for the long run. 

For Laos, labour migration is one of the biggest sources of human trafficking, and more support in terms of technology and funding would be severely beneficial. With the new PPP framework, finance and technological support would increase security and protection at borders, preventing the occurrences of human trafficking through labour migration or cross-border trafficking. The protection scheme would also enable the Laotian citizens to be more educated and up-skilled in various ways, creating future higher-paying and lucrative job opportunities for them. At the same time, this would also allow trafficked victims to receive certain levels of peace and safety back at home. Lastly, the prosecution scheme would allow access and funds for justice. Being a country that is still under development, access to legal aid and funds for lawyers would allow our citizens, who may otherwise struggle with these services, be able to sustain their pride and let justice be served. 

Between various nations, this new system would also enable victims to return home, while also enabling syndicate participants to be prosecuted in the court of law. Other nations within FEALAC would also be able to protect and sustain their citizens’ livelihoods and pride, enabling greater long-term development for the nation and its people.

Written by Oh Enzo