Lack Of Data May Hide Trafficking Problem
By Izam Said Ya'akub

Bandar Seri Begawan - Question marks remain over Human Trafficking in Brunei Darussalam after reports allege that it may have a trafficking problem.

The problem, however, is less prevalent in the sultanate compared to neighbouring countries within the region according to various reports.

An Indonesian diplomat, Rossy Verona, reported in the Jakarta Post that, "without accurate and reliable data, the majority of trafficking cases will stay undiscovered." She also added that Asean authorities will face difficulties in effectively combating trafficking issues whilst providing adequate protection and assistance to the countless victims.

Meanwhile, Unicef estimates that 100,000 women and children in Indonesia are trafficked annually for commercial sexual exploitation.

The destinations which the report highlighted are neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East and Brunei Darussalam itself.

Brunei does have measures against human trafficking, with anti trafficking laws passed in 2004.

The penalties under the 2004 Trafficking and Smuggling Persons order carry sentences of up to 30 years' imprisonment.

However the sultanate alongside Singapore, Malaysia and Laos are those whom have yet to endorse a specific national action plan.

In contrast Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines have carried out tangible national plans of action and Myanmar too has established a task force to address the global concern.

Brunei itself was not listed in the United States Trafficking in Persons Report which was carried out in 2006.

This was down to available information from Brunei considered to be insufficient and somewhat lacking in reliability to determine that there is a significant number of victims in the country.

Despite this, the report places Brunei amongst the special cases category, stating there are indications that Brunei may have a trafficking problem.

What many will consider to be shocking is that the report goes on further to say that Brunei is a destination for an unknown number of trafficked men for the purpose of forced labour and women trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Yet there were no prosecutions for trafficking for labour or sexual exploitation during the reporting period in Brunei Darussalam the picture remains vague.

Brunei Darussalam, like many affluent countries, employs a relatively high number of foreign workers recruited from abroad to work in the domestic service, as well as the construction and garment industries.

It is here in the labour context that the suspected trafficking is likely to occur.

Workers are commonly recruited from Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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