UCTS students attend talk on human trafficking
SIBU: A talk on human trafficking was conducted at University College of Technology Sarawak ( UCTS) here recently.
According to the university’s press statement, the state Immigration Department was invited to give the brief educational talk.
“The talk was presented by senior assistant director of Immigration Wan Haladin Wan Bujang from UTC Sibu, and assistant director Sonnia Geoffrey Agod from Kuching Enforcement office,” it stated.
Some 80 students and 10 academic staff attended.
The objective of the talk was to disseminate information on the latest development in transnational crime, as well as provide awareness to the students on the risks of human trafficking and its preventive measures.
Human trafficking is one of the fastest- growing activities of trans- national criminal organisations and it can have huge implications to the families, economies and countries.
According to Wan Haladin, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti- Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Act 670) (ATIPSOM Act) is the specific legislation that addresses human trafficking. It was enacted in July 2007 and came into force in February 2008.
He pointed out that there were differences between trafficking and smuggling.
Trafficking is not necessarily across country borders and always with or without victims’ consent, such as sale and purchase of human organs.
Smuggling on the other hand always involves cross borders and without the consent of the victims who are forced to do something illegal such as prostitution and forced labour or human slavery.
“This education talk is a good activity.
“Students also gain lots of valuable knowledge on the legislations well as the preventive measures that are being taken,” the statement said.