Overview:
Palau has declared February as Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month, renewing national attention on one of the world's most serious crimes. In a proclamation issued by President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., the government calls on all residents to help protect vulnerable people, strengthen prevention efforts, and support victims. The move comes as Palau remains on the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report’s Tier 2 list, reflecting progress but underscoring challenges that persist.
By: L.N. Reklai
Koror, Palau — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. has declared the month of February as Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month, calling on the public to learn more about human trafficking, recognize warning signs, and help protect vulnerable people in Palau.
The proclamation describes human trafficking as a modern form of slavery that affects millions of people worldwide. Victims may be forced into labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse through threats, deception, or coercion. The president stressed that stopping trafficking requires prevention, strong laws, protection for victims, and cooperation between government agencies and communities.
Palau has laws in place to fight trafficking. The country passed the Anti-People Smuggling and Trafficking Act in 2005 and strengthened it in 2023 to increase penalties and improve support for victims. The government has also created a specialized Anti-Human Trafficking Unit within the Bureau of Public Safety and an interagency working group to coordinate national efforts.
Over the past year, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit reported opening 12 investigations, identifying and supporting eight victims, and conducting multiple outreach and training programs. A new phase of Palau’s National Action Plan is now being developed to continue those efforts under the “4P” framework: prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.
Despite these steps, Palau continues to face challenges. According to the 2025 U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, Palau remains ranked Tier 2, meaning the country does not fully meet minimum standards for eliminating trafficking but is making efforts to do so .
The report noted progress in investigations, victim assistance funding, and training for officials. However, it also found that Palau has not prosecuted or convicted any traffickers for the second year in a row and identified fewer victims than in previous years.
Foreign workers were identified as the most vulnerable group. The report said Palau’s foreign population — about one-third of the country’s 18,000 residents — faces higher risks due to language barriers, debt from recruitment fees, and limited legal protections. Many workers come from countries such as the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, and China to work in construction, hospitality, agriculture, and domestic service.
The TIP report also raised concerns about the alleged involvement of some officials in trafficking cases and links to organized crime groups operating in the region.
At the same time, public discussion in Palau has increasingly linked human trafficking concerns with the government’s acceptance of U.S. deportees, with some residents describing the practice as “human trafficking.” While the two issues are not the same under the law, they share underlying concerns about human dignity, transparency, and accountability.
Human trafficking involves exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion, often for profit. The acceptance of U.S. deportees, by contrast, is a government-to-government agreement involving individuals removed under U.S. Immigration law. However, critics argue that the persons are coerced into Palau against their will and Palau benefits financially from the transaction; therefore, it fits the definition of human trafficking.
Both issues raise questions about how vulnerable people are treated, whether systems are being abused, and how decisions affect community safety and trust. These concerns highlight the need for clear information, stronger safeguards, and public oversight.
By declaring February as Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the president urged residents, traditional leaders, civil society groups, and the private sector to take part in education and outreach activities and to support victims when trafficking is suspected.
“Raising awareness is one of the strongest tools we have,” the proclamation states, emphasizing that community involvement is essential to preventing trafficking and holding offenders accountable.