20 Indonesian Citizens Victims Of Human Trafficking In Myanmar Are In The Process Of Returning To Indonesia

JAKARTA - As many as 20 Indonesian citizens (WNI) victims of the crime of trafficking in persons (TPPO) through online fraud, were successfully released and taken out of Myawaddy, Myanmar, and in the process of repatriation. The effort to release it, said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement received on Sunday, May, was carried out through the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) Yangon in Myanmar and the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok. In collaboration between the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon with local networks that have access to the Myawaddy area - where the Indonesian citizens were held captive, they can be released and brought to the Thai border, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The tens of Indonesian citizens were brought to the border in two waves, namely on May 5, 2023 as many as 4 people, and May 6, 2023 as many as 16 people, the Indonesian Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok will then take them to Bangkok to undergo the repatriation process. The Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok is said to be coordinating with Thai authorities for the repatriation permit of the victims back to Indonesia. Previously, President Joko Widodo stated that the government - through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - was trying to evacuate 20 Indonesian migrant workers from Myanmar who were suspected of being victims of TIP.

"We are trying to bring and evacuate them out. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tried and is trying to evacuate," said President Jokowi while giving a press statement in Sarinah, Jakarta, Thursday. The president said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to communicate with the Myanmar authorities so that the Indonesian citizens can be sent home.