Human trafficking knows no boundary

Human trafficking is an international crime that knows no territorial borders.

With changes in the social landscape in PNG, capacity building among stakeholders, especially those in the Law and Justice sector, is vital to address this threat. 

Human trafficking is the process of transporting an individual from their community through the use of deception or force.

In most instances, the end result of human trafficking is exploitation, which takes many forms in PNG; from sexual exploitation to forced labour, slavery, removal of organs and even the abuse of cultural practices.  

Creating awareness on the issue through workshops is a positive step in allowing the community to understand the issue and what measures can be taken to address it.

The PNG Centre for Judicial Excellence and Department of Justice and Attorney General, together with the UN Commission for Human Rights, is conducting an awareness workshop for judges of the National and Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia says with regards to the courts, very little is known on human trafficking.

In 2013, amendments were made to section 208 C and D of the Criminal Code.

Between 2015 and 2017, 15 cases were identified and dealt with.

Two of those were international cases while 13 were domestic cases of forced labour, underage marriage, sexual exploitation and child labour.

Two significant national human trafficking cases are awaiting trial in the National Court.

One of those involved the alleged recruiting of 11 persons from a Motuan village in Port Moresby to Simbu Province.

With the two cases in the pipeline, the workshop will assist judges in dealing with human trafficking crimes effectively.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton