KOROR, Palau – Palau has declared February as “Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month,” underscoring its commitment to combatting the modern-day slavery affecting both adults and children.
President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. issued a proclamation last week, highlighting the devastating impact of human trafficking and the need for coordinated action. He emphasized the importance of victim protection, offender prosecution, and public awareness campaigns to address the issue.
“Effectively combating these crimes requires the steadfast prosecution of human traffickers, protection and support services for victims of human trafficking, and prevention education to raise awareness and help decrease the incidence of human trafficking,” the proclamation stated.
Palau has taken several steps to address human trafficking in recent years, including:
- Enacting a comprehensive Anti-Human Trafficking Act in 2023.
- Establishing an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit within the Bureau of Public Safety.
- Developing a national action plan focused on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.
- Strengthening interagency cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding with relevant government ministries.
During February, Palau plans to host various activities to raise awareness among the public and empower communities to identify and report potential human trafficking cases. These activities may include educational workshops, community outreach programs, and media campaigns.
“Palau reaffirms its commitment to protect the dignity and freedom of all people and to combat human trafficking domestically and globally,” the proclamation concluded.
Vice President and Minister of Justice Uduch Sengebau-Senior said at the signing of the Proclamation that with efforts Palau has made so far, Palau is on its way out of Tier 2 rating on the TIP report to Tier 1. The TIP (Trafficking in Persons) Report is an annual report issued since 2001 by the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. It ranks governments based on their efforts to acknowledge and combat human trafficking.
Palau was ranked Tier 2 last year on the Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Report and before that, Tier 2 Watchlist.
The Trafficking in Persons Report, or the TIP Report, is an annual report issued since 2001 by the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and ranks governments based on their efforts to acknowledge and combat human trafficking.