TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) hosted an international workshop to prevent human trafficking on Wednesday (Aug. 28), attracting approximately 300 participants from 11 countries.

The "2024 International Workshop on Strategies for Combating Human Trafficking” drew government officials, scholars, and other experts to discuss new ways of battling human trafficking and associated crimes. The workshop also sought better protection and the promotion of basic human rights for trafficking victims.

Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan (馬士元) delivered a speech at the workshop where he said many people involved in human trafficking have begun to assume the role of both “victim” and “perpetrator” of other crimes. For example, he said that since 2022, many Taiwanese have been lured abroad to engage in telecom and internet fraud scams, per CNA.

Ma said that according to United Nations statistics in 2023, at least 100,000 people have been lured to internet and telecom fraud centers in Southeast Asia. According to the UN, internet and telecommunications fraud has become an emerging crime requiring the attention of immigration officials and government agencies.

According to Ma, Taiwan revised the Human Trafficking Prevention Act in January to include internet and telecom fraud. He hoped the workshop would allow international experts to discuss this topic and come up with new solutions.

Before the start of the workshop, a group of protestors assembled outside the venue, attempting to deliver a petition to request the Taiwan government to evaluate the issue of forced labor amongst offshore fishers. 

After the workshop concluded, a media session was held with NIA Director-General Bill Chung (鍾景琨), explaining that Taiwan’s anti-human trafficking strategy is fourfold: prevention, tracing, protection, and partnership. He said the workshop primarily addresses the issue of international partnerships.

Chung also addressed the topic of human trafficking amongst offshore fishers, noting it was not included in the workshop though Taiwan does recognize the plight of many such foreign fishers. He said the Cabinet adopted a “Fisheries and Human Rights Action Plan” two years ago, opening the door for ministries and NGOs to work together.

According to the NIA, Taiwan has hosted international anti-human trafficking events for the past 16 consecutive years. Each event has been an important platform for Taiwan to interact with foreign officials, experts, and NGOs, to seek solutions to stop human trafficking.