Indonesian Citizen Victims Of Human Trafficking Increasing, Indonesian Ambassador: Alhamdulillah We Return All

The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Turkey Lalu Muhammad Iqbal gave a virtual press statement.

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Embassy in Turkey has confirmed that all job offers as domestic helpers in Turkey are illegal. And those who accept the offer as household assistants are confirmed to be victims of the Criminal Act of People-Trafficking (TPPO).

Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Lalu Muhamad Iqbal explained that the Turkish government stipulated that the domestic assistant sector in Turkey was not allowed for foreigners.

Also, he said that the Turks do not use the services of household assistants. For this reason, the job offer of a domestic assistant in Turkey is certainly illegal, vulnerable to the practice of trafficking in persons.

"Most of them are in two port cities, namely in Istanbul and Mersin. It should be emphasized that Turkey has never been a destination for domestic assistant workers. Also, the domestic assistant sector is not open to foreigners in Turkey", said Ambassador Lalu during the conference virtual press, Tuesday, April 5th.

He further explained that if during 2020 there were 20 cases of TPPO, then from January 2021 to March 2021 yesterday, the Indonesian Embassy in Turkey recorded 19 cases of TIP in Turkey. According to Lalu, they were employed by employers who were not Turkish, but from conflict countries around Turkey.

"They (TPPO victims) were brought in by foreign or Indonesian companies, or even individuals, sponsors in Indonesia, close family individuals. The goal, some are employed in Turkey, some make Turkey a stepping stone, to go to other countries, such as Iraq", he said.

Regarding the fate of Indonesian citizens who are victims of TPPO, he appreciates the Turkish Government and the Special Police for TPPO for collaborating with the Indonesian Embassy, regarding the handling of victims of human trafficking.

He explained that the Turkish Police were very cooperative in carrying out the legal process against Indonesian citizens who were victims of TPPO by referring to the Palermo Protocol. So, we always make sure we are not subject to immigration laws.

"Alhamdulillah, we will all return. Referring to the Palermo Police Commission, if there is a violation of immigration and they are a victim of TPPO, then immigration and criminal violations are put aside. Turkey is always fulfilled, so the person can be sent home immediately", said Ambassador Lalu.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Consular Affairs and Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Indonesian Embassy in Turkey Harlianto added that the TPPO case in Turkey took advantage of the ease of obtaining a tourist visa, by using an e-visa service.

"The difficulty in handling TPPO, so that this year only 1 case has been processed is the consistency of the victim. The difficulty of the victims to report, to the inconsistent information during the examination. The victim usually has to be sent home, so it is difficult to file a legal process", he explained.