The impact of human trafficking in ASEAN: Singapore as a case-study

• Main Author: ANIL KUMAR, Jaya
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2018
• Subjects: Asian Studies; Human Rights Law; International Law
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sol_research/2808; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sol_research/article/4766/viewcontent/Impact_of_Human_Trafficking_ASEAN_2018.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Southeast Asia remains a notorious hotbed for human trafficking. The seriousness of the problem has led to the emergence of various initiatives to combat human trafficking. This paper seeks to address why human trafficking in Southeast Asia remains a contentious issue despite the various initiatives put in place for its eradication. ASEAN Member States, including Singapore, can only resolve the current inertia when it comes to combatting trafficking-in-persons (TIP) by adopting a multidimensional, and multistakeholder approach to the problem. Within Singapore, it is recommended that the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act should be amended such that it provides greater protection for all types of trafficking victims. At the regional level, there is a need for greater collaboration and co-ordination amongst ASEAN bodies in tackling human trafficking, which must be accompanied by comprehensive monitoring, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms.