Human trafficking not only jeopardizes basic human rights but also is a serious criminal act with transnational and organized nature against freedom. According to a 2012 International Labour Organization (ILO) report, 21 million people are victims of forced labor. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest number of forced laborers in the world with 11.7 million victims (56 percent of the global total), followed by Africa with 3.7 million (18 percent) and Latin America with 1.8 million victims (nine percent).

The United Nations report on human trafficking shows that 55% of global human trafficking cases have cross-border characteristics, therefore bilateral and multilateral (regional or global) international exchange and cooperation is essential in its prevention strategy. To strengthen the cooperation with other countries and improve the skills in combating human trafficking, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) of the Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan Province of China organises the International Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking each year for government officials from home and abroad as well as non-governmental organizations to jointly discuss issues related to the prevention of human trafficking. In response to the emerging issue of human trafficking and the strategy of prevention from the source, the 2019 International Conference was comprised of panel discussions and speeches on issues spanning forced labor in the fisheries industry and among migrant workers; mechanisms to identify and protect victims and vulnerable populations; practices employed by criminal organizations; penalties for perpetrators; as well as opportunities for strengthening international collaboration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Chen Chien-jen said that Taiwan is a committed partner in the global fight against human trafficking. Since the establishment in 2007 of the Coordination Conference for Human Trafficking Prevention, a platform for dialogue between government departments and commissions, the nation has spared no effort in ending related criminal practices, he added.

Taiwan’s long-term efforts in these areas have garnered international recognition, the vice president said, noting that in the most recent Trafficking in Persons Report released June 28 by the U.S. Department of State, the nation was awarded Tier 1 status for the ninth consecutive year.

Eliminating human trafficking requires close international collaboration, Chen said. To this end, Taiwan has reached agreements on immigration affairs and related prevention measures with 17 countries and is determined to further expand cooperation with like-minded nations and NGOs, he added.

It was a great opportunity for Caritas Internationalis to represent in this international conference. Around 45 representatives of Caritas from different continents participated in the meeting. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the president of Caritas Internationalis presented the work of Caritas Internationalis is combating Human Trafficking with its global network specifically through Christian Organisations Against Trafficking Network (COATNET). He emphasized that the Catholic Church started to participate in the debate on the legal response to human trafficking since its beginning: in fact, the Holy See contributed to the discussion regarding the Palermo Protocol in 2000. That was the beginning for the international community to seriously recognize the phenomenon of human trafficking.

Caritas is planning to implement two new suggested proposals: to collect quality data and document evidence for advocacy campaigns and better-tailored services provision; and to develop a responsible procurement policy for whole Caritas Confederation in order to ensure they are free of labor exploitation and child labor.

Mr. Aloysius John, the Secretary-General of Caritas Internationalis reemphasized the commitment of Caritas member organisations fight against human trafficking. He said the Caritas network considers Human Trafficking as a question of injustice and crime and a phenomenon which deprives the human person of his dignity.

Different projects are put in place by Caritas Member Organisations to address the question of Human trafficking on the preventive side, as well as helping those who are victims of Human trafficking.  Human Trafficking, in spite of the efforts undertaken by the international community is a growing phenomenon. A successful prevention of this can happen only if the root causes of forced migrations are addressed and the migrants are treated with dignity.

Ms. Leeza, the Thematic Manager of Caritas India shared the experiences of collaboration and cooperation between different agencies at a different level in prevention, protection, and prosecution. Through the support and help of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB) Caritas India was able to intercept more than 250 suspected cases in the past two years. Local leaders at the village level are taking preventive measures to combat human trafficking. Collectivizing our strength and coordinating our efforts are key to combating trafficking in persons.

After the two days conference, Caritas family met together to plan for the region. It was discussed to include other organisations apart from Caritas to build a strong network to combat trafficking in persons.