President Ma Ying-jeou has affirmed Taiwan’s progress in fighting human trafficking. Ma was speaking Wednesday at a conference on human trafficking prevention
Ma said that human trafficking, like drug trafficking and arms smuggling, is a serious international crime. He said these crimes harm both security and basic human rights.
The president said that Taiwan has made progress preventing trafficking, protecting victims, arresting and prosecuting perpetrators and cooperating with other countries on fighting trafficking.
Ma also cited the notice the US State Department has taken of Taiwan's fight against trafficking. The US State Department categorized Taiwan as a Tier 1 country in its most recent Trafficking in Persons report. Taiwan and South Korea are the only two countries in East Asia with Tier 1 status.
Ma said that before he came to office, Taiwan had Tier 2 status. But Taiwan has been given Tier 1 status every year from 2010. Ma said he wants Taiwan to be a leader in fighting human trafficking.
"We hope to continue to make progress and become a regional leader in this area, and eventually become a global leader," Ma said.
Ma also affirmed the work of the National Immigration Agency in countering traffickers.