President Tommy Remengesau Jr. on Wednesday announced the formation of a new task force that will work to fight human trafficking in the country.
Vice President and Minister of Justice Raynold Oilouch heads the task force, and said the task force duty will be to recommend a plan of action to combat human trafficking.
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According to Executive Oder 405 signed by Remengesau on Oct. 10, the task force was created amid the steady rise of human trafficking cases around the globe and the recognition by Palau that it needs to be addressed.
Palau remains on Tier 2 in the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in 2017 and in previous years made by the United States Department.
In Tier 2 rating, the report state that the Government of Palau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
Oilouch said the task force will help determine what actions to take Palau out of Tier 2 rating.
He said Palau will be taking a much “aggressive approach” against human trafficking.
Remengesau’s executive order states that Palau wants to achieve Tier 1 rating and the first step is to create a task force that will be composed of people from the Attorney general’s Office, Bureau of Immigration, Division of Labor , Bureau of Public Safety and a representative from the Olbiil Era Kelulau. (By: B. Carreon) [/restrict]