Brunei Gains From People Smuggling Conference In Bali

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei can gain benefits and learn many lessons from the Bali Regional Ministerial Conference on people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related trans-national crime.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato Awang Haji Adanan who just returned to Brunei after attending the Bali Conference, said that from Brunei's perspective, there are many lessons to be learned to reinforce Brunei's experience to eradicate trafficking in persons and related trans-national crime.

He said the representatives have agreed that people smuggling and illegal migration are global problems involving the countries of origin, transit and destination.

He said the primary causes of people smuggling are many and of various dimensions comprising economic, social and political aspects.

Speaking to Radio Television Brunei (RTB) reporter, Dato Awang Haji Adanan said the conference agreed that poverty, discrepant in the economic achievement, labour market opportunities and conflicts are blamed for the increase in people smuggling throughout the world.

The problem, he maintained, should be handled through a concerted effort and cooperation.

The ministers also underscored the importance of border security in determining national and global security. At this juncture, any form of cooperation should be based on understanding.

"Every nation has the right to establish its own regulations to handle the issue of people smuggling, he said."

The Deputy Minister also touched on benefits to be gained from the conference.

It is a relief to note that Brunei is free from such agenda.

This is attributed to the fact that law enforcement agencies are working closely together and through the enforcement of the immigration regulations.

Some 28 ministers attended the two-day Bali Conference from 32 regions and countries including the representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration.

During their deliberations, the ministers proposed for increased monitoring of the issue in order to overcome the main cause of illegal migration.

A comprehensive understanding should be reached through bilateral, multilateral, regional and international cooperation.

Meanwhile, based on the positive outcomes achieved so far, the ministers agreed that the Bali process should be carried out continuously at the experts' group level.

It was also agreed that every country tries to adopt identified activities by the experts' group level in to the respective regional organisations. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

Brudirect.com News