JAKARTADAILY.ID – Thirty Indonesian citizens who were victims of human trafficking in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, were successfully handled and returned to their homes and families in Indonesia on April 10, 2023.
The 29 men and one woman were lured into a job with a large salary, only to be forced to commit fraud under the guise of a call center.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City received the 30 Indonesians on March 12, 2023, after they fled from the place where they were detained by the fraud syndicate. The perpetrators took their passports and cell phones upon their arrival in HCMC and initially did not allow them to leave.
Thanks to the fast and effective cooperation between the Indonesian Representatives in Vietnam, the Directorate of Indonesian Citizens Protection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, and relevant authorities in Vietnam, the victims were able to return safely to Indonesia.
The Vietnamese government also fully supported the resolution of human trafficking cases by arresting perpetrators who try to escape the law.
The 30 victims received complete assistance and support, including food, clothing, and medical treatment, as well as repatriation fees to Indonesia. The Indonesian community and diaspora living in Ho Chi Minh City also provided support and sympathy through food, clothing, and Ramadan gifts for the victims.
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After the necessary documentation and permissions were obtained from the Vietnamese authorities, the 30 Indonesian human trafficking victims were repatriated on April 2, 2023.
They will go through further rehabilitation and psychological counseling at the Trauma Recovery Centre (RPTC) in Bambu Apus, Jakarta. As of April 10, 2023, all the victims have returned to their homes.
Human trafficking is a serious crime that violates human rights and contradicts universal humanitarian values. The Indonesian government consistently reminds the public to be cautious of being lured by jobs abroad and large salaries.
It is crucial to learn the procedures for working abroad in line with applicable regulations to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The repatriation of the 30 Indonesian victims highlights the need for cooperation from all parties to eradicate human trafficking and prevent anyone from becoming a victim of this heinous crime.
