Suhakam wants RCI on human trafficking after drop to Tier 3

 

Suhakam says government agencies must step up efforts to manage forced labour issues, particularly in the plantation and rubber sectors, where there have been many allegations.

PETALING JAYA: The government has to intensity efforts and take the lead in combating human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) says.

In a statement, it expressed concern over Malaysia’s downgrade to Tier 3 in the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report for failing to improve on its anti-trafficking capacity even after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While Suhakam acknowledged that the government had taken some initiatives to address the issue, it said Putrajaya should establish a royal commission of inquiry pursuant to the US report and focus on implementing the recommendations.

It also called on the government to make public the report and recommendations of the Special Independent Committee on Foreign Worker Management.

For long-term measures to be successful, it said, Putrajaya should hold discussions with the relevant stakeholders.

Suhakam called for a definition of forced labour to be included in the government’s proposal to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, while current labour laws should also be amended to safeguard the rights of workers.

“Suhakam urges the government to increase the law enforcement capacity to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases, including by improving inter-agency coordination, to ensure successful efforts to prosecute traffickers,” it said.

It also said the relevant government agencies must step up efforts in managing forced labour issues, particularly in the plantation and rubber sectors, where there have been many allegations.

“Corrupt officials involved in this dark economy must be made criminally accountable as they are conduits that have permitted this corruption-fuelled system to thrive.”

Noting that the Malaysian Border Security Agency was now under the police, it hoped the restructuring plan could facilitate Putrajaya’s initiatives to ensure that effective measures are put in place.

“Suhakam would also like to take this opportunity to call on the government to release the report and findings of the royal commission of iquiry’s investigation into the human trafficking camps and graves in Wang Kelian,” it said. - FMT