MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
The Hon Alexander Downer MP, Minister For Foreign Affairs and Senator the Hon Chris Ellison, Minister for Justice and Customs
Australia will provide $21 million over the next five years to help combat human trafficking in Asia.
The initiative will help the criminal justice systems in our region to target people traffickers and secure justice for victims. It will also help governments across the region to develop robust and integrated legal and cooperative frameworks and exchange information.
The work, to be managed by the Government's overseas aid agency, AusAID, will be carried out in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
'National law enforcement capacity in each partner country will be improved by providing training and advice to specialist anti-trafficking units,' Mr Downer said.
'The initiative demonstrates Australia's commitment to fighting this repugnant crime, in Australia and in the region,' Mr Downer said.
'Judges and prosecutors will be provided with relevant training and access to specialist advice and reference materials,' the Minister for Justice & Customs, Senator Ellison said.
Research and assistance on trafficking issues also will be provided to the ASEAN Secretariat and information exchange between countries in the region will be enhanced.
This new initiative builds on other regional anti-trafficking activities totalling over $17 million and delivered through the aid program. It also complements a range of other Australian Government efforts to combat trafficking, including our lead role in the Bali Process to combat people smuggling and trafficking and related transnational crime.
Media Contacts:
Tony Parkinson (Mr Downer's office) 02 6277 7500
Michael Barrett (Senator Ellison's office) 02 6277 7260/0419 424 359