Nghe An: Strengthening prevention and control of human trafficking and fetal trafficking

Women who cross the border to sell fetuses

(Baonghean.vn) - For about a year now, in Nghe An, there has been a surge in the buying and selling of fetuses - a new tactic of human traffickers that the law still does not have specific regulations on.

Nghe An asks for Central's opinion on handling the situation of fetal trafficking

(Baonghean.vn) - The head of Nghe An Police has sent a document to many central ministries and branches to ask for guidance on handling the situation of fetal trafficking in the context of no specific regulations.

In 2018, the functional forces of the whole province discovered, arrested, and prosecuted 16 cases, 26 subjects with acts of human trafficking and child trafficking; received support, and rescued 40 related victims.

However, according to Nghe An province, the situation of human trafficking and child trafficking crimes in the province, especially in mountainous districts, continues to be complicated, with increasingly sophisticated methods of operation.

A family in Huu Lap commune, Ky Son district went to China to give birth and sell their child. Photo: PB

Currently, the whole province still has 263 women and children who have been absent from the locality for a long time, suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

In particular, a new criminal method has recently been discovered, in which criminals seek out families with pregnant women about to give birth (6-8 months pregnant) in mountainous areas and ethnic minorities to lure them to China to give birth and then sell the children to Chinese people (abbreviated as fetal trafficking).

Through screening in Ky Son district until November 2018, there were 25 cases of pregnant ethnic minority women going to China to give birth. Of these, the police force verified and clarified 6 cases after giving birth, the children were sold back to China (each case for 80-140 million VND).

To strengthen solutions to prevent and combat human trafficking, especially the trafficking of fetuses, on January 9, 2019, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued an official dispatch requesting all levels and sectors to mobilize the strength of the political system in participating in preventing and combating human trafficking and the trafficking of fetuses. Innovate the content, diversify the forms and methods of propaganda and dissemination of legal regulations on preventing and combating human trafficking in general and the trafficking of fetuses in particular.

Police of Huu Kiem commune (Ky Son) organized for people to sign a commitment not to participate in or assist in human trafficking, fetal trafficking and illegal immigration. Photo: LP

The provincial police have strengthened the management of security and order, the management of foreigners and women who marry Chinese men. They have focused on investigating and uncovering human trafficking cases and rings, arresting criminals, rescuing and protecting victims, and organizing high-profile campaigns to crack down on human trafficking crimes.

The Border Guard Command strengthens management of border areas to promptly prevent human trafficking crimes and illegal migration to traffic women, children, and fetuses.

Localities, especially key districts of human trafficking such as Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Que Phong, Quy Chau, Quy Hop, direct the commune to visit families with relatives who have been trafficked or have signs of collusion in human trafficking, fetal trafficking to propagate and deter, warn, strongly condemn, and organize households to sign a commitment not to participate in, not to assist in human trafficking, fetal trafficking and illegal migration.