Taiwan hosts global workshop on human trafficking

By Sorwar Alam

ANKARA (AA) - Experts and scholars from around the world have gathered in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei to discuss strategies for combating human trafficking, local media reported Wednesday.

Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the global fight against human trafficking, said the country's Vice President Chen Chien-jen at the two-day 11th International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking which ended on Wednesday, according to a report published by Taiwan Today.

The workshop gathered local and foreign government officials as well as scholars and experts from nongovernmental organizations around the world to engage in information sharing on human trafficking issues, the paper said citing Taiwan's Interior Ministry.

Chen noted that his country was ranked as a Tier 1 nation in the Trafficking in Persons Report issued by the U.S. State Department on June 27, for the eighth consecutive year.

The result underlines the effectiveness of government policies in this regard, he said.

Tier 1 status is reserved for countries that comply with the requirements set forth under the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, according to Taiwan Today.

Chen highlighted some of his government’s steps to fight human trafficking adding that Taiwan had signed agreements for international collaboration in immigration affairs and human trafficking prevention with 18 nations.

American Institute in Taiwan Acting Director Robert Forden also praised Taiwan's efforts to fight illegal human trafficking.

"Many countries in the region now look to [Taiwan] as an example of how to improve their own efforts," he said, adding the promotion and protection of human rights was a core commitment shared by Taiwan and the U.S.

According to Taiwan’s Interior Ministry, the event in Taipei hosted discussions over a range of issues spanning international collaboration in labor exploitation prevention measures, investigation and trial of trafficking cases as well as strategies to protect the rights of domestic workers, Taiwan Today reported.