Nghe An arrests 34 human trafficking cases in over 2 years

On the afternoon of April 11, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee held a conference to review the direction of the implementation of the Program on preventing and combating human trafficking crimes, phase 1 (2016 - 2018).

Comrade Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Colonel Nguyen Manh Hung - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police; Colonel Hoang Anh Tuyen - Deputy Director of the Police Staff Department (C42, Ministry of Public Security) co-chaired the conference.

Also attending the conference were representatives of the Department of Drug and Crime Prevention (Border Guard Command); leaders of the Nghe An Border Guard Command; representatives of relevant departments, branches and local authorities; district police, professional departments...

Conference scene. Photo: Tien Hung

According to reports, on average, there are 12-14 human trafficking cases in Nghe An each year. Since November 2015, the provincial authorities have arrested 34 cases and 57 subjects. In addition, they have organized rescues and provided financial support to bring 41 victims back to their hometowns, helping them stabilize their lives.

90% of human trafficking victims in Nghe An are sold to China, most of them forced into prostitution or marriage. Most of the victims who escape and return are in a state of psychological instability.

Lieutenant Colonel Dao Anh Hong - Deputy Head of the Criminal Police Department (PC 45, Nghe An Provincial Police) said that recently, human trafficking rings have come up with new and more sophisticated methods of approaching their “prey”. The subjects often target women and children who are playful, competitive, and enjoy life…

After getting the information, they let people approach their “prey” through social networks such as Facebook and Zalo. During the conversation, they always introduce the rich and prosperous life in China. When they see that the victim is confused and undecided, these people will promise to give them some money in advance and cover the cost of transportation…

Nghe An victims in a human trafficking case to China were rescued. Photo: Minh Tuan

According to Colonel Nguyen Chi Ty - Head of the Drug and Crime Prevention Department (Nghe An Border Guard), the situation of human trafficking in Nghe An has recently become more complicated and on the rise. The scale, nature and methods of operation are increasingly sophisticated, cunning and well-organized. They mainly operate in mountainous districts such as Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Que Phong, etc.

“They often organize into closed networks, with close connections between inside and outside the country,” said Colonel Ty, adding that when taking victims abroad, they often do not allow them to bring money or valuable assets to limit their escape. Members of the criminal network also often use many different names when operating, making it difficult for victims to know their identities in order to report them.

Leaders of the Police Staff Department (Ministry of Public Security) awarded Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Public Security to groups with outstanding achievements in preventing human trafficking. Photo: Tien Hung

“The intention of these subjects is not only to sell victims for labor exploitation, prostitution or as wives, but sometimes they also sell body parts. All needs are met by human traffickers, their purpose is only for money” - Colonel Nguyen Chi Ty said.

Currently, many Nghe An people are identified as living in the southern provinces of China, including members of human trafficking rings and victims being sold as wives.

Due to the increasing gender imbalance in China, the demand for foreign wives, especially Vietnamese women, is increasing, so many people have linked together to form a series of human trafficking rings.

From there, the authorities predict that human trafficking crimes in Vietnam in general and Nghe An in particular will become very complicated, with an increasing trend; the potential for crime is still very large, many underground and large-scale networks have not been discovered or dismantled.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai awarded Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee for outstanding achievements. Photo: Tien Hung

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Director of Nghe An Police Nguyen Manh Hung proposed many solutions that need to be implemented in the coming time to reduce this crime. According to Colonel Hung, first of all, local authorities need to have policies to support and create jobs for those at risk of becoming victims; do a good job of supporting and helping victims of trafficking from abroad to reintegrate into the community...

Faced with the situation of human trafficking crimes that are predicted to be potentially complex, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee Le Xuan Dai said that relevant authorities need to implement solutions in a synchronous manner. Especially, promoting propaganda work. Forces such as the police and border guards should develop plans and effectively deploy peak periods of attacking and suppressing human trafficking crimes at appropriate times; regularly review and grasp the crime situation as well as identify key areas, develop prevention plans, etc.

The conference also awarded Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Public Security, Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, and General Department of Police to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in preventing and combating human trafficking crimes.