Việt Nam makes strides in anti-human trafficking battle

Border guards raise awareness about human trafficking among locals in the border district of Kỳ Sơn, Nghệ An Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Văn Tý

HÀ NỘI — The police dismantled 35 human trafficking networks in the first six months of 2024, arresting 78 suspects and rescuing 103 victims, according to Đinh Văn Trình, Deputy Director of the Department Number 05 under the Ministry of Public Security.

Trình was speaking at a press conference on human rights on Thursday.

He said human trafficking had taken a complex turn, as traffickers increasingly leverage social media platforms to trap unsuspecting individuals.

A common tactic is using Facebook to befriend victims and promise them ‘easy jobs with high pay’ in countries like China or Cambodia. Once the victims are lured across borders, they are forced into illegal labour or held for ransom.

Another tactic involves creating secret Zalo groups dedicated to adoption, to target pregnant women who either lack the means or the desire to raise their children.

The traffickers then acquire the children through adoption or purchase and resell them to others under the guise of legal adoption. They falsify documents to legitimise the child’s origins and profit from the transaction.

“There have been reports of Vietnamese-led networks specialising in trafficking foreigners through Việt Nam to third countries,” said Trình.

He also said human trafficking in Việt Nam was most prevalent in the northern provinces bordering China, however recent border fence construction has prompted a southward shift in trafficking activities.

To combat the evolving threat, the police have implemented a range of measures to strengthen its anti-trafficking efforts, including expediting the finalisation and passage of the revised Anti-Trafficking Law and stepping up communication initiatives.

Lã Hồng Linh, a representative of the Vietnam Woman Union (VWU)’s Central Committee, shared that VWU units across the country have called out against 1,364 cases of sexual assaults, domestic violence and human trafficking in the first half of 2024.

They have provided comprehensive support to the victims, including psychological counseling, legal aid and sponsorship. In Hà Nội City, 17 victims have received assistance, while 28 and 11 victims have been supported in Yên Bái and Thanh Hóa Provinces, respectively.

Additionally, from January to May, five OSSO offices under the VWU’s collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have assisted 115 migrant women returning home. These women have received nearly 700 health, employment and family consultations.

Linh also said the VWU units had prioritised communication initiatives alongside their direct support services for victims. During the six months, they organised 20 awareness events across four provinces, reaching a significant audience.

“The primary messages conveyed through these campaigns centre around understanding the modus operandi of human traffickers and equipping individuals with skills to recognise and respond to trafficking attempts,” said Linh.

Linh said that VWU is determined to maintain its momentum in the coming six months. Plans include continued assistance to victims, alongside a robust public awareness campaign. A notable event in this regard is the upcoming Anti-Trafficking Forum in Tây Ninh Province at the end of July.

Hoàng Ngọc Thanh, a representative of the Vietnam Border Guard Command (BGC), revealed that border forces successfully handled 208 human trafficking cases in six months, apprehending 118 traffickers and providing assistance to 375 victims and suspected victims.

Recognising the importance of public awareness, BGC has prioritised communication efforts, conducting more than 56,000 anti-human trafficking talks, reaching a nearly 1.6 million individuals.

“Communication efforts at border gates have resulted in 926 workers voluntarily abandoning their plans to leave the country after recognising the potential dangers of becoming human trafficking victims,” said Thanh.

Looking ahead, BGC remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating human trafficking. Planned measures include intensified border patrols, collaboration with international organisations to conduct capacity-building training sessions for border guards and strengthened cooperation with law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries. — VNS